Tottenham Hotspur chairman Daniel Levy thinks the WSL should eliminate the concept of 'promotion and relegation' so that clubs feel more comfortable investing in their women's teams.
Instead of a traditional pyramid system, Levy thinks the Women's Super League should adopt a single-table format similar to the National Women's Soccer League in America. Spurs are currently ninth in the WSL, three points above the relegation zone.
According to the Daily Mail, Levy believes more clubs would invest in their players and infrastructure if the looming threat of relegation was eliminated and he isn't the only person with this opinion. Former England midfielder, Karen Carney, and current Chelsea manager, Emma Hayes, are also open to the idea of a closed league - with the former citing her playing time in the States as an influence.
The structure of women’s football in England is currently being reviewed by two separate groups: the government’s review is being spearheaded by Carney whilst the FA's review is being carried out by a specially selected board made up of WSL and Championship executives, including Arsenal's Vinai Venkatesham.
Though women’s football in England is experiencing an incredible high since the Lionesses' historic Euros win last summer, not every club feels the same benefits. The disparity between those at the top of the league system and those at the bottom are significant.
While the likes of Levy and his views might split opinion, the existing infrastructure of the English women's game needs to be reconsidered and will no doubt change (to some extent) in the coming years.