The maiden year of the Drive Line Leagues multi-tier model has been a great test case in how to build moving forward. We’ve learned a lot about what works and what doesn’t. And with a growing waiting list, we now have a solid scalable model to work off of.
Individual Tier Structural Changes
Premier League – The DL Premier League will expand to twelve teams. The initial complexity layer for The Premier League was Individual Defensive Players (IDP). This layer will be replaced by free agency scarcity. IDP will no longer exist in any of our leagues.
The starting roster will be set at QB, RB, RB, WR, WR, WR, TE, WRTFlex. A third WR spot levels out RB power, requiring heavy focus on WR depth.
Six teams remain, six are relegated. Relegation is based on points. No divisions.
No kicker or defense.
Dues remain at $150 per seat.
Gauntlet League – There will be two leagues under The Gauntlet banner. Gauntlet East and Gauntlet West. Each operate as a ten team league. The complexity layer of scarcity was shifted to The Premier League, so the Gauntlet Leagues take on a new layer utilizing the super flex format with two flex positions.
The starting roster for each Gauntlet league will be set at QB, RB, RB, WR, WR, TE, WRTFlex, WRTFlex, SuperFlex.
Three teams are promoted to Premier out of each Gauntlet League. Three teams are relegated to the Pit League out of each Gauntlet League. Four teams remain in each Gauntlet League. Promotion and relegation is based on points. Each league utilizing divisional play.
No kicker or defense.
Dues elevate to $100 per seat due to the smaller league size.
The Pit League – The Pit League expands to twelve teams.
The starting roster will be set at QB, RB, RB, WR, WR, TE, WRTFlex, WRTFlex
Six teams are promoted to a Gauntlet League and six remain.
No kicker or defense.
Dues elevated to $50 per seat.
What does this mean for the current 2026-27 season promotion and relegation situation?
For The Premier League three teams will be relegated to The Gauntlet East. Seven will remain.
Five teams will be promoted out of The Gauntlet to The Premier League. Seven will remain as the foundation of The Gauntlet West.
All teams in The Pit will be promoted to The Gauntlet. Seven teams will go to The Gauntlet East and three will go to The Gauntlet West.
All waitlist teams will funnel into The Pit for the new season.
I believe this will be a much better and smoother competition format for all!