Welcome to season 41 everyone! Much to Buzi's delight, (and surprise since it's not a Wednesday) Rufio is back for another round!

Welcome to seasoned vets (even old grizzled ones like Steve and Angus) and to all the first timers. (Even though you'll likely get stomped, use it as motivation and a learning season to prepare for the future.)

Here we have the preseason rankings and the teams at the top should be no surprise, and if you aren't at the top don't worry. I'm wrong a lot!
Let's get to it!

Rank. (last season's record) (Previous elite rank) Last season result

1. (13-3) DC Washingtonians (1) Conference Champion
ptdoc spent nearly the whole season ranked #1, (and is still waiting for his ranking trophy Pete!) but I don't think he's happy with all the success he had winning the conference after they couldn't finish the season with that exclamation. Is this the season he doesn't bring shame to the Sea Devil's region? Or is it just a continuation of the Kraken curse?

2. (13-3) Salt City Pirates (4) Conference Runner-up
LuLuBa's Pirates are always a threat after two straight conference championships and an Elite bowl win. This past season had them fall short of a third trip to the championship. With salaries just north of 10m and a team rating of 88 it's hard to imagine this team not making it back to the top.

3.(13-3) Social Distance Runners (3) Second Round
Another team over 10m and it's amazing Buziano has any money left to pay players and staff with the way he gambles! He did have some successful weeks to end the season, but this time he doesn't have the freebie bot game to boost his numbers! The high end Sea Devil's teams have proven their mettle the last few seasons but can't win the big one. With a salary like this is Buzi giving it his last shot to end that drought?

4. (13-3) Comeback Kids (2) First Round
Is there a team with a more unfavorable recent playoff history than the Kids? They botched a trip to the Championship 2 seasons ago and last season markupst's qb chose a terrible day to throw 4 picks. This season he hopes to have the fortunes reverse and with the AC reloading after it's previous 2 champions (who were responsible for 8/10 AC championships since season 31, minus last season and season 35) have retired or relegated now would be a good time.

5. (13-3) Willemstad Bridges (7) League Champion
How can you have the defending champion ranked so low? Easily, and it's kinda funny I do because I think this team improved over last season as well. The schedule they faced last season was very light, and there's no way Triple Turn can continue that amount of luck. That said, this team is still the class of the Thunder and no wild card team will want to face them in round one.

6. (12-4) San Diego Blitz (5) First round
Steve's Blitz is one of two teams that has been in elite every season of it's existence. There's no reason to think his domination of Galaxy will end this season. Blitz fans are hoping to turn their consistent regular season success into postseason success where they haven't gotten a win since season 37.

7. (13-3) TigerCats (8) Conference Runner-up
The reigning Fire champion took the division, and the AC, by storm snagging the one seed before falling to the Bridges in the conference championship. I fully expect skeetz to be in the mix for a bye week.

8. (16-0) BobBoy Magpies (-) Admirals Champ
My first newcomer in the rankings, but dell_g is hardly a newcomer to Elite with this being his 13th season here. The Magpies dominated most of last season only losing twice in the Supercup to DC and the eventual champion Ravens. The Admirals will push Sea Devils for top division in Elite... I know I said that last season but this time I really mean it.

9. (9-7) Hell Hounds (9) Second Round
The Hounds won 8 of their last 10 including the playoffs in an improbable run last season. Amplified might be looking for a little more consistency this season, but it worked out so well maybe he won't want to mess with the formula. With the Gangsters gone, Claymore is open for a new king. The Hounds have the early claim.

10. (10-6) Rome Centurions (10) First Round
Rome had a really solid and surprising season in his inaugural Elite season setting up Thunder to be a formidable division going forward. Tullo Ostilio is expecting big things again this season but I don't see him closing the gap with the Bridges quite yet. Another playoff appearance looks likely.

11. (9-7) Chelt Nam Bobbers (11) First Round
Clearly Jonny Utah spent too much time early last season recruiting foreigners rather than focusing on football, but a strong finish gave the Bobbers another playoff appearance. Only one time since he joined elite in season 28 has Jonny not won the division but I expect the Dillos to push them again.

12. (10-6) BU Terriers (12)
The Terriers were in position to sneak the last playoff spot last season until the Ravens pulled off the improbable upset to end the season. The Terriers are again on the short list for that last spot, this season they get it.

13. (8-8) Black Dragons (13)
The Dragons are the other team to never miss an elite season, but a poor second half led to another mediocre finish. Does Angus keep the streak alive or do the up and coming new guys unseat the Monarchs OG?

14. (9-7) LoneStar Armadillos (14)
I'm going to run out of Dillo facts for sure. I might need to just make things up and see if anyone notices. The Dillos started last season on a mission, they ended the season on a mission to not win football games. The result was a solid season, but with such promise shown early there had to have been disappointment. Expect PlumDumb to challenge for the division and wildcard again.

15. (9-7) Lyon Eagles (15) Second Round
Lyon had the upset of the playoffs last season knocking off the AC favorite kids in round 1. Lyon has a little more competition this season, both in conference and division and just like the last two seasons I expect it to come down to week 17 to determine if they are in the postseason or not.

16. (8-8) Diorite Lions (16)
The Lions had some really strong games putting them right in the thick of things only to fall apart down the stretch. They've been in Elite 12 of the last 13 seasons and this season the division is wide open. Claymore will be very fun to watch.

17. (7-9) AS Roma Wolves (19)
The Wolves couldn't pull off a late season rally to sneak into the playoffs, now it seems they'll need a full season rally to stay on top of the Magpies and stick around Elite.

18. (15-1) Home Malones (-) Monarchs runner-up
A surprise Supercup final four appearance has people bullish on the Malones, problem is they lost to division rival (and team they are trying to relegate) Dragons.

19. (16-0) People's Republic of Yorkshire (-) Claymore Champ
If I had to choose another team to relegate a solid team, the Yorkies would be my pick. This team is legit. lallen73 had a number of solid wins, and played top teams very tough.

20. (16-0) Växjö Gladiators AFC (-) Sea Devils Champ
After many seasons of being thwarted by whatever team came back from Elite Vaxjo has returned to the most difficult Elite division. It'll take RavenCorp some crazy kind of season to dethrone DC or the Runners.

21. (16-0) Leeds Celtics (-) Sea Devils Runner-up
It certainly didn't take JonnyP long to recover from his contact debacle a couple seasons back. Really big shoes to fill if Vaxjo and Leeds plan on continuing the recent Sea Devils tradition.

22. (13-3) Deflators (-) Thunder Champ
It's hard to place this team. IMGregory had a nice league season but had a rough pull in the first round of the supercup. They spent seasons 36-38 in elite so clearly he's got a good idea of what to expect, but the top Thunder teams looked really strong last season.

23. (14-2) Green Mark Packers (-) Admirals Runner-up
Being the 4th best in a really tough division will make for a frustrating season. csacsinho was in Elite in it's second season so he's been around, but will experience be enough to handle 6 games against the Kids, Wolves, and Magpies?

24. (15-1) Bonecrushers (-) Fire Champ
BoneBruiser's squad dominated D1 Fire last season to earn their first trip to Elite. However, they couldn't quite hang with the Elite teams they played along the way. Pushing the Ticats or Eagles is a very tall order, but the good team rating with a very reasonable salary is a good start.

25. (15-1)Bradford Bulls (-) Monarchs champ
The Bulls make their return trip to Elite with the Malones in their attempt to make Monarchs the new Sea Devils. The Bulls led Elite in passing in their previous stay, I don't see why that changes this season. That makes them very dangerous to win any game.

26. (15-1) Dumbarajko Elephants (-) Galaxy Champ
Dumbarajko had a nice rebound season to return to Elite. If he starts hot maybe I'll pick up some Elephant facts? They have a good rating and a high salary, is it enough to stick around for more than one season?

27. (11-5) Gardians (-) Dragons Champ
Drogon's team formerly known as BSOD saved their best for the Dragons playoff run and a return to elite after a one season absence. Clearly good at game planning, will the reasonable salary hold them back?

28. (15-1) GLADIATORI ROMA (-) Fire Runner-up
franzlandia had an excellent upset of Pr chaser to reach elite for the first time since season 33 and was immediately humbled by the BoneCrushers.
He's been playing since season 1 so maybe he has some tricks up his Italian sleeves.

29. (12-4) Werewolves (-) Dragons Runner-up
Ceynwyn seems to be stuck in Elite purgatory, one season up and one season down. This season seems likely to continue that trend with the Bobbers and Dillos having a firm hold on Dragons.

30. (15-1) Catalunya 1714 (-) Claymore Runner-up
Atzucat makes his third appearance in Elite. Started really strong before losing their final 7. It probably doesn't help they play the Monarchs and Admirals division this season.

31. (14-2) 16_horsepower (-) Galaxy Runner-up
giorgio won the NC of Galaxy but a lack of competition and quality wins has horsepower down at the bottom. Lucky for them, I'm bad at this.

32. (11-5) Valiant Pinoys (-) Thunder Runner-up
The Pinoys had a surprise run in the playoffs to collect the NC of Thunder. Unfortunately the team just isn't ready to compete in the Elite league and will have a long season ahead. But at least they'll get a top draft pick!

I'll have my playoff predictions in the next couple days, but until then good luck to everyone in their respective draft and let's have a nice, competitive, fun season without any stupid arguments about how worthless Scorigami is!



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GL everyone

Hey everyone!!!!

Good luck to you all

Are we gonna have 100% mediacenter?

Oh no, Drogon is here again

Make space, the Kraken is here ! Rufio is back. For all of you not having been here last season, this is a real treat that is awaiting you. Like for you, Drogon. I guess, you will be again the one to refuse for all of us to get a bit more money. After my 60 Mill loss of last season, I would have loved to get some cash in ...

Thank$ for welcoming.




S39 Tue 2020-07-28 League BSoD (Gardians) 20:38 Social Distance
You refu$ed to me to get a bit more money.
How much did you get for the win ?
Do you mind if I a$k you to $end it back to me right now ? Thank$.
I ended S39 with a po$itive balance of $360 318 only and I want more ca$h.

You lo$t 60 Mill la$t season ? I wa$ not in Elite though.
You $hould have pledged $50 000 000 !
La$t $ea$on, I wa$ in Dragons1, end S40 with +$24,995,632 (no pledge and the title).

Did you know you're the Top number 1 in Elite ? Congrat$ !
$10 239 514 team + coach $alarie$.
Me : $4 974 525.


Source: https://www.globalbankingandfinance.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/Investment3.jpg


Have fun.

Guys, why are you picking on Drogon... he explained how he is playing the game. We don't need to share this oppinion, but should accept his view.

Btw we did't have 100% last season. This season we have to be happy to reach the 90%. I am counting on the Deflators and Hell Hounds.
It looks like the Dillos don't have the money to fully pledge and Pinoys seem to prefer to spend their money on the TM, which is also wrong from my point of view long term.

Buziano, a 60 Mio loss last season? That is tough, what are you expecting this season? I was intending to have a deficit of max. 10% of my bankroll this season

Great to be back.

Glad to be here.
Good to have a change of scenery and new challenges although I reserve the right to change that opinion in a few weeks when it’s all gone pear shaped.
Maybe a few seasons too early for me, and the players I presently have but we will see how it goes. Luckily though we have a somewhat straightforward first few weeks

All the best

Very nice write-up again Rufio and good luck to everyone this season

Hello everyone again.
My third time on Elite, which I suspect will end the same as the previous two.

A little comment about the Mediacenter.
In a solo game, like RZA, you can play however you want. Your attitude (in principle) don't affect the development of the other teams that most likely have another vision of how to play. An individual game that you share with other individual players.

The problem (I think) is when you introduce some group game rules into individual play, such as the Mediacenter. Then you no longer depend on yourself alone, success depends (in a small part) on the decision of other managers.

You become part of a "Community of Neighbors", to say something similar, where everyone has their home (and does what everyone wants there) but you share "common spaces" where everyone must collaborate.

The Mediacenter is our particular "common space" and I think that, even if we do not like it or we do not agree on some things, we must all collaborate.

Good Luck to All!!



Quim