With debt in football increasing exponentially and transfer fees getting out of control, should the top tier of football adopt a draft/trade system, or will this negatively impact lower league teams?
Most other sports in the world use this system but then they don’t really have a pyramid with promotion/relegation.
How about if transfer fees were still paid to lower league clubs who rely on transfer income to survive (maybe via tribunal?), while transfers between top tier sides work on a trade basis?
In terms of a draft I’m not sure if this would work as it would probably negate the academy system, which other sports don’t tend to have (as far as I’m aware).
Would a trade system only work if there was also a draft system in place (and therefore you could bring in a player in exchange for a certain number of draft picks)?
If this isn’t the answer to spiralling costs of transfers, agents fees and debt then what is?
Should football adopt a draft/trade system?
posted on 11/2/25
comment by Cinciwolf-----JA606 NFL fantasy champ 2023 (U11551)
posted 7 hours, 16 minutes ago
The academy system is worthless anyway for the most part.
This system would be great but footy doesn't care for the small fish and just wants uber clubs competing while the rest make up the numbers, its a dreadful set up currently in truth but most fans won't care as they are just glory hunting spineless cants.
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Say's the Woloves supporting Real Madrid fan???
posted on 11/2/25
comment by RRRU-ben a-moo-REENG (U17054)
posted 1 hour, 27 minutes ago
“Most other sports in the world use this system”
No they don’t. Apart from a few, localised exceptions in cricket, draft systems are barely used outside North America.
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It’s done in AFL which is one of the best sporting examples of fairness in how it’s all ran
posted on 11/2/25
*run
posted on 11/2/25
comment by Robb #456 (U22716)
posted 3 minutes ago
comment by RRRU-ben a-moo-REENG (U17054)
posted 1 hour, 27 minutes ago
“Most other sports in the world use this system”
No they don’t. Apart from a few, localised exceptions in cricket, draft systems are barely used outside North America.
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It’s done in AFL which is one of the best sporting examples of fairness in how it’s all ran
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Yes it's works great for these smaller one country sports but football is a massive global sport and has prospered for 150 years.
posted on 11/2/25
comment by Robb #456 (U22716)
posted 5 minutes ago
comment by RRRU-ben a-moo-REENG (U17054)
posted 1 hour, 27 minutes ago
“Most other sports in the world use this system”
No they don’t. Apart from a few, localised exceptions in cricket, draft systems are barely used outside North America.
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It’s done in AFL which is one of the best sporting examples of fairness in how it’s all ran
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One of that very small handful of localised exceptions, and obviously relatively easily implemented when AFL is a closed shop which doesn’t have any international competition.
posted on 11/2/25
How would salaries and contracts work in a draft instance?
Say Mbappe got his draft from PSG to Madrid, but doesn't agree personal terms, what then?
Could players still run down contracts under a Bosman type ruling?
posted on 11/2/25
comment by RRRU-ben a-moo-REENG (U17054)
posted 1 hour, 38 minutes ago
comment by Robb #456 (U22716)
posted 5 minutes ago
comment by RRRU-ben a-moo-REENG (U17054)
posted 1 hour, 27 minutes ago
“Most other sports in the world use this system”
No they don’t. Apart from a few, localised exceptions in cricket, draft systems are barely used outside North America.
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It’s done in AFL which is one of the best sporting examples of fairness in how it’s all ran
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One of that very small handful of localised exceptions, and obviously relatively easily implemented when AFL is a closed shop which doesn’t have any international competition.
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Oh I agree and don’t doubt doubt for a second how hard it would be to do in something like soccer. It’s just done so well in AFL that it would be great in theory if it could somehow be done in pro soccer. But probably impossible unless there was some super league dedicated to ripping things up and starting again.
posted on 11/2/25
It’s a terrible idea. I don’t know why people think it would be remotely feasible either. The draft trade system only works in unique circumstances, one that football doesn’t live in, and why so few sports use it. Not sure where the OP got most from.
posted on 11/2/25
comment by Cinciwolf-----JA606 NFL fantasy champ 2023 (U11551)
posted 10 hours, 1 minute ago
The academy system is worthless anyway for the most part.
This system would be great but footy doesn't care for the small fish and just wants uber clubs competing while the rest make up the numbers, its a dreadful set up currently in truth but most fans won't care as they are just glory hunting spineless cants.
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Not wrong
posted on 11/2/25
Bad & unworkable idea.
As for the solution to the debt issue: deploy rigorous systems and highly qualified specialists to maximise return on investment, and don't spend far more than you can afford. As for lower down the pyramid, the solution is structural reform that diverts more of the obscene wealth generated by football to the grassroots. There would be no place for smaller clubs in a draft system, other than perhaps as nurseries for youth players to supply the closed shop of big teams.