Yeah the word doesn't bother, they ARE franchises haha. But it's the thinking that they don't belong or serve a purpose, a people, a market etc. Same with NPL clubs. Everyone's fighting over the right to exist, it's not right and a waste of energy.
As you mentioned, we should be focused on bringing it all together. Get shit done for the greater good. We should all want a connected pyramid, it's long overdue. Having a closed league initially served a purpose, but leagues should've started coming together a decade ago. With APL really struggling now, I feel we've missed that boat for a few more years.
It's now July 2025, any updates on the Championship, the 3rd RFP, next year's league structure, tv etc.? Feels like we're in quicksand. The sooner it gets going the better. It won't take long for the pyramid deniers to see the top Championship team should go up to A-League. The APL won't choose to connect (unless clubs have bags of cash), it would have to be people powered and knocking down the doors of FA.
People have to see it to believe it. When we see a Preston selling out each fortnight and on top of the Championship, and a Roar sucking year after year in front of only the diehards, the voices to connect the pyramid will be deafening. But another year passes and no NST league. If we don't hear about a league structure for 2026 soon, then it will be another year wasted. It's the next biggest step to growing together.