SFLm Season 12: Dev Team Announcement & Structure Overview

by S'cylle Aldmiir

ARTICLE BY ELI DEIOMES [S'cylle Aldmiir] | SFLm Commissioner

As we move out of the holiday off-season and into our preparation period ahead of SFLm Season 12, we are almost ready to formally announce the Development Team player pool for the upcoming season. That said, we felt it prudent to offer a refresher on the eligibility rules finalised in late June and July.

Before the season officially begins (and that announcement will be happening shortly as well!), it’s important to set expectations clearly — both for those selected and for those who were not (here's a hint: there are less than a fifth of the players than there were last season!) — so everyone understands why decisions were made and how the Dev system will function moving forward.

The Dev Team exists to support development where it is needed most, while protecting the long-term competitive and financial health of the league. Season 12 represents a deliberate recalibration toward that goal. 

Dev Team Eligibility: Selection Criteria

All Dev Team placements for Season 12 were determined using the previously announced parameters (see Addressing the DEV Team Moving Forward if you are unsure of the parameters set in place). These rules were applied evenly and without exception.

Who Was Eligible

  • Players ranked in the bottom 10% of their position.
  • UDFAs were automatically included, as is standard.
  • Mid-season UDFAs will also be added to the Dev Team, as is standard.

Who Was NOT Eligible

  • O-Line Coach players were not eligible for Dev Team placement.
  • Players who were part of the Season 11 Dev Team were not eligible again this season.
  • Players who swapped their positions during the off-season were not eligible.
  • Players with APF builds were not eligible.

Progression & Roster Discipline Requirements

  • Players must have utilized 75% or more of their available progression during Season 25. Falling below this threshold resulted in disqualification. (this means if you missed more than 5 weeks of progressions, you were not eligible.)
  • Players could not have cut more than 12 total attribute points during the season. (This represents approximately four weeks’ worth of progression reversals.) Exceeding this limit resulted in disqualification.

These criteria were the sole basis for selection and explain why some players made the cut while others did not.

Progression Structure Update for Season 12

Following a full review of last season’s outcomes — particularly contract inflation late in the cycle — the Dev Team progression model has been adjusted.

What’s Changing

  • Weekly progression has reverted back to +3 points per week, for a total of 60 seasonal progression points. Rookies will still get the full +6 points per week, earning a cool 120 points for the season.
  • All Dev Team progression will be purchased at Rookie pricing.

This structure allows for:

  • Consistent and sustainable player growth
  • Reduced risk of runaway contract values
  • A healthier long-term economy for the SFLm

The goal is measured development—not accelerated inflation.

Rookie Contract Threshold & the SFLd Portal

To maintain balance between the SFLm and SFLd, the following safeguard will be enforced:

If a player:

  • Begins Season 12 in the SFLm as a Rookie, and
  • Their contract value exceeds $1,000,000, then
    --- That player will be moved to the SFLd League Portal.

This ensures the SFLm remains a true development environment rather than a high-contract escalation lane.

Training Camp Policy Clarification

Training Camp will always exist, but its scope is now clearly defined:

  • Training Camp is for Rookies only, moving forward.
  • Training Camp will also apply only in instances where a Rookie moves from the SFLm Portal to the SFLd Dev Portal.

There are no other exceptions.

This policy is permanent and intentional.
Training Camp is a developmental bridge — not a general-use progression tool.

Portal Transition Compensation

Because both the SFLm and SFLd Dev Portals now operate at +3 progression per week, players who transition portals as Rookies will be handled as follows:

  • Staff will track the week the player becomes eligible for their first SFLd progression.
  • At season’s end, affected players will receive:
    --- $5,000 per week spent in the SFLd Portal (to account for payout differences), and
    --- 3 progression points per week for each week spent in the portal.

This approach keeps the league within established rules while ensuring players are not disadvantaged by necessary structural adjustments.

Looking Ahead

The Dev Team is not a reward — it is a responsibility. It exists to provide opportunity where it is needed most, while preserving balance across both leagues.

Season 12 is about intentional growth, economic stability, and long-term sustainability. These changes reflect that commitment.

The official Dev Team list of players will be announced around January 1st, just in time for the New Year.

Thank you to the players, owners, and staff who continue to engage thoughtfully as we prepare for the season ahead.

Let’s set the foundation right—and build forward from there. After all, we all want to #MakeAnImpact. - ED