Is Expansion a Possibility?

With the labor issues over, and the league running a surplus of billions of dollars, rumors are spreading that expansion is a widely discussed topic. "What expansion? I didn't authorize any talks about expansion!" Commissioner Alvin was quoted as saying. However, sources say that underground forces have been working to infiltrate the mighty Maize and Blue league. If sixteen teams is possible, why not eighteen or twenty, or even twenty four?

Alvin's close friend and confidante, NBA commissioner David Stern cautioned against over expansion however, as he's regretted a wave of Nineties expansions that have resulted in professional basketball teams in backwaters like New Orleans and Charlotte. "If only we had just put a franchise at 7 Championship Drive (formerly known as The Wood) back then, our league would not be having financial troubles now. Sigh."

One proposal these insurgents suggest is an A-League and a B-League, similar to how the English football soccer system works. Each year, the lowest teams from the Premier league are relegated to a lower division, while the top teams from that division are promoted up to the Premier league. This would strike fear in the hearts of unmotivated owners and give everyone extra incentive to stay out of the bottom rungs of Maize and Blue.

Better yet. In Bill Simmons' football league, the winner each year gets to boot out one owner. Is that harsh? Yes. Is that hilarious? Yes! Perhaps tournament could be set up where the losers get shunted down a level. Market research suggests such a tournament would increase ratings and revenue for Maize and Blue exponentially.