The Scottish Football league is ready to accept dramatic change in a bid to head off the Division One rebels who have threatened a breakaway league. A pyramid system for entry into the SFL was considered by the league management committee on Friday and could be in place for season 2007-2008.
BBC Sport has been told that informal talks have already taken place between the SFL and bodies such as the juniors.
Also suggested is an overhaul of the SFL's much-criticised management.
The management committee would be replaced with a board of five directors each elected for four years.
And the post of secretary currently occupied by Peter Donald would be replaced with a new chief executive.
 |  A pyramid system could be put in place if others can be persuaded to make this happen |
A new commercial director to look after contracts and the commercial interests of all clubs would also be appointed.
The new set up will have a president, a vice-president and second vice-president. It is also understood that a new technical team of highly-respected senior Scottish football figures have been approached and will advise on public relations and contractual matters to the SFL clubs.
Concerned by the loss of a league sponsor and television deal, a group lead by Livingston, Clyde and Hamilton Accies had proposed a breakaway league of full-time clubs similar to England's Championship.
But the 10 First Division clubs have pulled back from that and become united in seeking change within the SFL structure.
They will write to all 30 member clubs on Monday with their proposals, which will be outlined at a Tuesday media conference.
SFL sources insisted to BBC Sport that, while they had been monitoring the rebels' ideas, the parent body had already been "fully considering all options".
"A pyramid system could be put in place if others can be persuaded to make this happen," said a source close to the league management comittee.
"Informal talks have taken place between the SFL and other bodies such as the juniors already.
"This is not a response to the proposals expected on Tuesday.
"Informal discussions have been going on for some time. This is a work in progress.
"There have been a lot of talks in the course of forming a proposal for Scottish football's different bodies."
However, the First Division clubs' proposals are likely to be more radical, requiring a league of 12 teams and the regionalisation of the lower leagues.
It is also understood that they will attempt to impose a 6,000-seater stadium rule and play-offs for promotion and relegation.
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