Subject: II.3

just realized one of my managers is retiring this week, as if regulation wasn't going to kill me enough financially.

That is unfortunate, but maybe you'll get lucky and most of the people who are willing to overpay for managers at the end of the season have already gotten what they needed. If nothing else, it's a reminder to keep an eye on staff so you can pick up a replacement before the rush.

As far as relegation goes, I think you're looking at it in the wrong light. You've been around since season 4 while I joined in season 9. Compare our stadiums and facilities, and our players if you'd like. I propose to you that it's better to be at the top of Division III than the bottom of Division II. I'm currently on the cusp of promoting to II.3 and frankly hoping my team blows it and loses in the promotion round. Mind you I'm not going to throw any of the games, but I'd prefer to lose.

Since I started I've spent all but one season in Division III. My brief stint in Division II was unremarkable and saw me wash out in the relegation round. These are the advantages of Division III worth noting:
1.) There's basically no arms race. In Division II, it seems to be able to compete and have a shot at the playoffs, teams have to be willing to shell out $10s to $100s of thousands on players they're most likely not going to be successful with in Division I. In III, you can build a dominant team for next to nothing while focusing on your infrastructure, which is what you need in place to be successful in I.
2.) Building on point 1, spending less on players allows you to build your arena and facilities. Quite simply, if you want to compete with the top teams in I, you need your infrastructure in place. They have max training facilities, so their guys are going to keep getting better faster if you're not on par with them; the rich become richer. Build your arena to increase your income, and build your facilities so that when you have players who can help you compete in I, they can stay competitive.
3.) OTR makes a difference on sponsorship offers. Winning gives you more, so relegation can work in your favor. The difference between my General Sponsorship offer in Season 11 when I was promoted from III and my General Sponsorship offer when I was demoted from II in Season 12 were negligible (I made approx. $200,000/week more with Season 12's offer) even though my HR and Economics Dept had been improved. If you want solid numbers to back it up, this is as close as I can get- at the end of last season when I accepted a 5 star deal for my Skybox, the deal totaled $4,393,968 and my OTR at the time was 404.04. When I finished building my second Skybox and was assigned the 5 star deal, it totaled a lowly $2,592,288. What changed? Only my OTR, which was then approximately 311.81. I say approximately as I didn't record the exact date that Skybox was finished, but I know it was finished around 4/30, give or take a week. Granted there is a variation in offers assigned the same star rating, but not nearly $2 million when compared to a sub-$5 million offer. The point of this is that winning in III can offset extra money you might get from losing in II.
4.) The prize money you received for finishing 19th in the regular season was $5,914,618. You had 0 players earn money for stats. The prize money I received for finishing 1st in the regular season was $9,013,668. I had 12 players earn money for stats totaling between roughly $5-5.5 million. I didn't feel like adding up the exact figure, but it gives you an idea.

Please note I'm not trying to be rude or make light of your relegation as it's obviously disappointing. I am, however, trying to shed some light on the advantages of building in III. It's possible to make it work for you, and there's a reason I really don't want to promote again. Hope this helps.

Whoops, for point 1, I meant managers spend $10s to $100s of MILLIONS on players to be competitive. Should have proofread BEFORE posting. So glad there's no edit button or I'd certainly look silly.

7 to 2 on penalties today and i give up 4 power play goals.... gotta love it

Congrats to Nitny on the pay raise.... See you in 2 seasons.

Thanks.. I'm only up there for a cup of coffee, look around the place and then head back down.

Congrats! I wouldn't be so sure that you'll relegate right away...you've built a solid team for yourself, and I'd guess you'll be pretty competitive in the 9-16 area up there, especially with that solid goalie you just picked up.

Thanks! We'll see I guess, that's all I can do. I will miss this division. Very fun and seemed to be the most competitive and toughest one to me.

congratulations Nitty!!! Way to go.

I dont think i will spend more money on players. I will let my youngsters get some OR to replace the veterans. I have lots to build. Hopefully I can manage to stay here longer

got a manager but payed a lot for him, 19million with 100marketing 85aq only 55yrs old.

Hell of a playoff game by North Stars Goalie. 39 shots today by my team and no dice...

Well I managed to avoid relegation. I'm not sure it was the smart thing to do but I've had enough time in Div III and I don't want to go back down.

going down is costing me just under 3.257 million per week. glad i am getting rid of higher paid staff.

That's really the only problem with dropping to III. Even with the big stadium, I still had to cut down on the staff.

But you have to make the drop/cuts worthwhile. You have to continue building your arena. Preferably Triples. Even if you can only afford minimums.

i am keeping managers, coaches, and sporting directors. I want those to be top notch. The others I can do without for a season or so. Not cutting, just not renewing contracts when they expire.