I liked/gained new interests by converting my team to all American. It limits my options for sure, but I don't even realize it any more since I haven't looked at the TL without clicking USA players only for about 2 years. That being said I probably have been able to look at almost every USA player with over 10k salary that has been listed on the TL.
I actually found that I made a bunch of money in D.II. I think what might be hindering your finances is your lack of luxury boxes and LT. To be fair, I did avoid relegation while getting the 3rd pick one season, and sold the draftee for 1.5 mil, which could be affecting my memory. I was never in a negative weekly income, however, until the final weeks before the playoffs last season.
The lack of forum activity definitely affects the gain though, because going from D.III to D.II. you expect the forums to be more excited and for there to be more posts, but when that is not the case it is a severe letdown.