I started out in IV and am doing pretty okay in my first season in div.1.
And I know quite a number of examples of teams in Italy in lower divisions that could easily beat most teams in the game (AS Ciclone, for example).
Springlfield Drunkers started out in III if i'm not mistaken, made it up to 1 in 2 seasons and won Italy's first division last season.
I'm obviously not saying this is normal or frequent, but it's not impossible at all.
Now, to the subject: It is absolutely an advantage to be in BBB. I wont even touch the money-training, which is clearly a boost anyway you look at it.
There are some people arguing that you might lose the league because of it. Sure, you might, but if you lose the league it's because you made it big at BBB, which means you got more money and more training than anyone else in your league, and will quite surely be harder to beat next season and hence will constantly improve your chance at getting to BBB again.
That said, what REALLY makes me think, is about teams like BC Torooo. His team can easily make it through the first many rounds of BBB with the "pic=normal" thing, can build up his enthusiasm, has a sufficiently deep squad to not worry about playing his starters at the league and will get extra money and training.
I'm just thinking, if the other canadian teams didnt really stand a chance before, they will even less right now. Sure, he will play KDB now, so he's not going to pic there, but how high do you think his enthusiasm is right now, playing 4 pics a week?
Come on, sure there are teams that can't take advantage of the opportunity BBB offers, but I'm not worried about those, I'm worried about the ones who can, who are probably already best in the world, and those will get even better, won't they?
I mean, yeah, it's a bitch to have to have a 15-player squad, but if you're training the guys... if you chose someday to switch back to a 12-player squad you could have 6 trained players for 2 positions (= selling two of them and making lots of money), plus extra-money from BBB.... who would compete with you in your league then?
It does make it a lot harder for newer teams, no doubt as to that.