There are always teams in upper divisions that lose their owners and open up other spots than just the teams that are being relagated. So while I understand that is not how it typically works, it does happen.
Not how it works. When owners leave and go bot, they get replaced with teams who just signed up, not by people lobbying for their positions.
I've felt your pain before about dead forums. But you've gotta promote or relegate if you want out there.