https://www.theguardian.com/football/20 ... xtra-teamsThe expansion of the Football League is inevitable in a sense because the Conference National is almost a full time division, bar a handful of clubs. Question is how do you go about it?
I agree with what Mark Lawn says. Lower league clubs can't afford to lose four income streams and the financial gulf between Championship and League One was around £4.25 Million before the new TV rights kick in. Also the idea of a winter break is mad, fans need football during the depths of mid-winter to keep occupied.
As for compensation, I'm not sure whether it's financially viable. Say on average a League 1/2 club generates £100k on a matchday, you're looking at £4.8 Million per round of fixtures (multiply by 4) equals £19.2 Million. Then there is central payment compensation for the four additional relegated Championship clubs (£18 Million+) and extra central payments for the 8 promoted Conference clubs (£300k per club = £2.4 Million) plus youth team funding. In all that is a good £40 Million to put down in the first year alone, I believe the TV rights for The Football League per annum is something between £70-£100 Million so it would have to take a serious increase in revenue to make it work.