A non-relegation league model.

My OCD self has trouble trying to accommodate the concept of relegation in sports leagues at times because relegating certain teams could decrease the popularity of the sport in that country & if there's a significant population in the region the relegated team is in, the league could lose some financial income & so the entire concept of relegation could many times be "counter progress" because the teams coming in from lower leagues often have a lot less fans than the relegated team. And, of course, I have a solution - a league model that could encourage community spirit in a league where teams are not relegated. Here it is: 

• No relegation. Formalities aside, the allotted teams would only be removed from the league if they can literally no longer continue due to finances or dire lack of population interested in playing for the regional team. 

• Regional teams. Teams could be spaced provincially to ensure everyone has a team that would represent their province/state/district in the league & bigger cities could have two or three teams. These regional teams could be entire multi-sport academies where talent is developed 

• Hometown heroes. Players would only be allowed to represent the team/academy closest to their place of birth in the top two tiers of a national league structure. From the third tier going down, they could play for any team in the land. This will encourage a concept of local pride & loyalty to home teams when familiar local faces are running in the team. 

• Youth protection. Only players that are 25 years & older would be allowed to play overseas or be transferred overseas, borrowing from the Croatian model. This is to ensure that a footballer gains some grounding at home before heading to foreign lands. 

This model would ensure that no one plays for a team then plays for their rival for revenge or to cause turmoil. It would also ensure consistency. 

If this model would be implemented in South Africa the team allocation would look something like this: 

• Johannesburg (Kaizer Chiefs & Supersport United), Durban (AmaZulu & Lamontville Golden Arrows / Durban City) & Cape Town would get two teams each. 

• One team each for; Soweto (Orlando Pirates), Pretoria (Mamelodi Sundowns), Pietermaritzburg, Soshanguve, Newcastle, East London, Gqeberha, Mahikeng, Kimberley, Polokwane, Mbombela & Bloemfontein. 

This allocation of teams / academies would be for all sports. Thus, having several sport disciplines under one name & academy structure for a national league.