Can you do a franchise with less than 32 teams?

[Nick]

Is there any way to make a smaller franchise mode?

[redwolf9]

No. It's hard coded - 32 for American Pro league style (2 conferences of 4 divisions of 4) or 36 teams for fictional relegation style (3 tiers of 12 teams).

If you want hugely customizable league sizes of 32 or less, there is Pro Strategy Football '22 (if you are a coach mode player).