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AFA Establishes Position On DMTs" (Dual Membership Teams)
Once again its time for the American Football Association to explain the nuances of dealing with teams who apparently want to share their membership allegiance to more than one league simultaneously.
(PRWEB) March 9, 2004 --Once again its time for the American Football Association to explain the nuances of dealing with teams who apparently want to share their membership allegiance to more than one league simultaneously.
Last season one league, the North American Football League, made a habit of registering some teams for their league who also were members of another league simultaneously. Although this system of dual membership had little effect on the rest of the teams in the NAFL - it allowed 'affiliate teams with memberships in other leagues an opportunity to enter the NAFL playoff structure at season's end without being full-fledged regular season members.
While the AFA frowned upon this method of dual membership last year, we did add resources to revise the American Football News database by adjusting the power rating system to give credit to those teams for playing in both of their leagues simultaneously. On paper, dual memberships have a tendency of giving the appearance that one league may be larger than it actually is -- only for the sake of appearance. How does this make a positive impact on our level of this sport?
Although the AFA continued to power rate teams belonging to the NAFL last season (while these teams belonged to another league) because it was explained to us that those teams, known to the AFA national association as DMTs (dual membership teams), were only looking for a little post season action at seasons end and figured the NAFL could provide it for them.
That was last year - While the DMT issue has caused the AFA a few minor headaches, the latest events have given reason for the AFA to review policy regarding leagues actively pursuing teams that have memberships in other leagues - - - at the same time. Or more importantly, the AFA is now looking differently at those leagues that want to give the appearance that they are national in scope by registering 'complete leagues as divisions of their new national type organizations - and 'claiming those divisions as full fledged members of their league.
To avoid wholesale competition between the promoters of these new national league type structures and the old established leagues that many of these DMTs come from, the AFA has taken a position that it will not allow leagues, who act as divisions of these national structures, to 'have their cake and eat it too regarding the AFAs 2004 'power rating system. While the AFA has no control over which teams belong to which leagues, they will reserve the right to qualify a league placement in their power-rating database (a free service).
No big deal you say? As long as the teams get rated - who cares? Well heres the distinction. This year, leagues will be recognized by the AFA as belonging to only one league at one time. If we receive a press release (as we have recently) stating that a complete league has become a member of the a particular league . . . we will conclude that league has approved the announcement for publication and we will make them a part of the new leagues power rating database - thus losing all connection to its former league name.
Wheres the allegiance to existing leagues? For what its worth, its difficult for the AFA to understand why leagues that have been around for years would want to give up their identity - but thats for them to decide. Old established leagues that become members of new leagues will assume the identity of the 'new league and will be referred to as such when referenced by the AFA.
Leagues allowing some of their member teams to participate in more than one league simultaneously run the risk of being dropped from the AFA power ratings altogether. Teams in established leagues need to show a strong allegiance to the other members of their league by preventing dual team memberships.
One of the reasons for these new 'super size league structures has reportedly been to give postseason playoff opportunities to teams whose leagues do not pursue national championship playoff aspirations. We cant fault the new super structures for giving their member teams what they want - but what they should really determine first is what is really being promoted - a league national in scope . . . or a national 'postseason playoff structure.
Perhaps its time for some of the old established leagues across the country to uniting at seasons end in order to protect their leagues identity and history. Our net: the day of the DMTs are a thing of the past as far as the AFA is concerned.
Quick Note Re AFA Endorsed General Liability Insurance Program: the general liability insurance provided by Sadler Sports Insurance Group is available at greater discounts if an entire league signs up listing teams and number of players. Believe it or not, as a result of this approach all league officers get coverage also. The rate is just $3.33/player with this approach. Dont wait until the Friday before your first game to get this extremely important administrative task done; get it done NOW. THIS IS THE REAL DEAL. Visit website at www.sadlersports.com/afa
P.S. Our entire league just paid $3.18/player by meeting the application deadline of February 29th (price increased to $3.33/player after this date). In most cases our teams experienced a 70% over what they paid last year!!!!!!
For AFNews scores and rankings, just click http://afn.shorturl.com/
For AFA logo merchandise click http://www.cafeshops.com/amerfootball/58394
Media - contact Dave Burch at AFA National Office
(877) 624-4485 or (941) 388-3510
(e-mail) amerfoot@aol.com (or) usafoot@aol.com
(website) http://www.americanfootballassn.com/
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