I jumped levels (1 to 3), some other managers in my league as well (2nd season, but already league level 3). Most of the teams were level 1 league champions. I think Nordeus did this to fill leagues since some inactive higher league teams got deleted. How the selection of the teams passing one level worked, I don't know (could have been based on quality or randomly), but I am happy I got selected. So there seems to be such a feature already.