Expanded playoffs = more TV money. Sadly there are some owners to whom that means more than competitiveness. I never thought I’d say this, but we’ve reached a point where I honestly believe there are a few owners who don’t even care if their teams win or lose. With more TV revenue and expansion fees, the checks keep rolling in no matter how many games a team loses.
I'll maintain that even more playoff expansion is the backend way to flatten the competitiveness curve (and bend the definition even more toward the just-get-in position) and overcome the systemic inequities. Of course, expanded playoffs further ease spending responsibilities (which I know is a pet peeve) and, importantly, avoid dealing with the core issues. But then again, we will bet on the owners taking the easiest (and most profitable) way. Expanded playoffs, further diluting the value of regular season wins but balanced by theoretically deepening the WS winner list, will come as early as expansion, I figure.
It is a fun topic to discuss over drinks and dinner with baseball fan friends. Although I hardly watch soccer, I am vaguely aware of relegation. Frankly, I enjoyed the article and have already recommended it to my old guy friends. Our group is split rather evenly along the owner's-prerogative and fan-responsibility demarcation line. We know that MLB ownership would not acquiesce to the plan under any circumstances. so I also didn't think through the ramifications or any rebuttals. It's a creative and fun article, though.
Expanded playoffs = more TV money. Sadly there are some owners to whom that means more than competitiveness. I never thought I’d say this, but we’ve reached a point where I honestly believe there are a few owners who don’t even care if their teams win or lose. With more TV revenue and expansion fees, the checks keep rolling in no matter how many games a team loses.
I'll maintain that even more playoff expansion is the backend way to flatten the competitiveness curve (and bend the definition even more toward the just-get-in position) and overcome the systemic inequities. Of course, expanded playoffs further ease spending responsibilities (which I know is a pet peeve) and, importantly, avoid dealing with the core issues. But then again, we will bet on the owners taking the easiest (and most profitable) way. Expanded playoffs, further diluting the value of regular season wins but balanced by theoretically deepening the WS winner list, will come as early as expansion, I figure.
It is a fun topic to discuss over drinks and dinner with baseball fan friends. Although I hardly watch soccer, I am vaguely aware of relegation. Frankly, I enjoyed the article and have already recommended it to my old guy friends. Our group is split rather evenly along the owner's-prerogative and fan-responsibility demarcation line. We know that MLB ownership would not acquiesce to the plan under any circumstances. so I also didn't think through the ramifications or any rebuttals. It's a creative and fun article, though.
For fans this would be exciting.