For a lot of new guys, if there was a standard package that could be sold at reasonable cost (USB controller, USB stick with all required components set and ready) - I think it would be a "hot seller" - by that I mean more than one guy might be interested.
I've often thought that instead of having a downloadable zip file for leagues, you could just have a sharable dropbox/google drive folder with all of the updated files including Netplay/GENS, roms etc.. When you sign-up for the league, you are invited to share the folder - could even become a decent repository for gamesaves.
I also think that since AJ is travelling so much - we should put him on tech support. Like Geek Squad, he would do home visits and help guys get set-up. This in exchange for airport pick-up and crashing on your couch.