Regarding the economy and extra money for the extra playoff game: I don't see it as an issue, the teams in the playoffs have usually higher expenses.
I don't see how that stretches managers in their team management skills
Below is a suggested finals schedule4/11 - round 1 PO7/11 - round 2 SF game 18/11 - round 2 SF game 211/11 - round 2 SF Tie Braker14/11 - Final game 115/11 - Final game 216/11 - Final Tie Braker
So?Teams in the playoffs already gain an economic advantage compared to the teams who finish fifth or eighth. BB doesn't focus on balancing divisions anyway so I don't see this as a problem. I've been in a league now the last 3 seasons where my division is vastly superior to the other division. Yet, when the new season starts the weaker teams still remain in the other division. I know this is a little off topic but the point I'm trying to make is that BB doesn't seem to care much for balancing things as is evidenced by how much stronger the best teams keep getting as opposed to newer teams.