Returning to the old system is as unhelpful a plan as what we have now.
I am trying to build consensus around my suggestion for a new, better league structure.
I think the league structure is vitally important and we should embrace it, but not as it was or is.
If we had a "normal" system of promotion and relegation, it would only occur at the end of each season, not during. This is important as it provides players with opponents at a similar level to them, and prevents smurfing.
It would also mean that every two weeks, we would have divisional champions, sixteen of them, to celebrate and promote in the media. These champions would also be bragging of their achievements, so we get a constant stream of free publicity.
At eos, a percentage of players are promoted or relegated from each division, not two divisions as per the current system, which has always struck me as absurd, leaving as it does our top two divisions with zero players in them at the start of each season...
We could also introduce a Splinterlands Hall of Fame that featured all our divisional champions each season, which would give those players cachet and bragging rights, as Season X, Diamond League Division 3 Champion, for example.
Everybody would naturally find their own level, with those players not getting promoted or relegated remaining in the division they are in, which allows players to play at silver level or whatever level they see themselves as.
We can separate this proper league and divisional structure from the question of rewards, although it does seem natural that the champions and runners up, however many we defined that as, should get rewards for their achievements, like packs or glint rather than dec or sps maybe?
I am confident this will make the game more fun, resolve level issues, and reinforce and reward the competitive spirit.
I hope I have explained this approach clearly enough but please feel free to ask any questions anyone may have.