lower leagues
- minor leaguesProfessional development tiers
- amateurNonprofessional participant
- non-leagueOutside official competition structure
- relegationAssignment to lower status
- promotionRank increase or publicity
grassroots · semi-pro · bush league · second division · third tier · reserve team · farm system · lower division · underdog · minnows · backwater · obscurity · struggle · grind · small-time · journeyman · climbing · pyramid
- football leaguesPremier League, National League, Bundesliga, La Liga, first division
competitive tier/level
lower leaguestop flight
Of superior quality
major leagues · first division · top tier · big leagues · La Liga
quality/status metaphor
lower leaguesbig leagues
Top professional level
major leagues · top tier · big time · upper echelon · first class