(05-15-2019 02:47 PM)quo vadis Wrote:  

(05-15-2019 11:11 AM)Attackcoog Wrote:  The G5 has fewer fans and their content is less profitable to the networks. That has not one thing to do with whether or not UCF or any other undefeated past or future G5 might could actually win a title on the field of play. It was a business decision. Always has been....which is ironic in that collegiate athletics is an arena that was never supposed to be about money. Like I said, it is what it is.

Actually, I'd say it does, as the two seem to be closely linked. E.g., Division III, Division II, and FCS all have fewer fans and their content is less profitable for the networks than the P5 as well. And like the G5, they have never produced the best team on the field.

I seriously doubt that is coincidence.

Generally speaking, the leagues that have the highest TV appeal and most fans tend to be the leagues that produce the best teams. E.g., MLB has the most fans and TV appeal of all baseball leagues, the NBA has the most fans and TV appeal of all basketball leagues, the NHL has more fans and more TV appeal than any other hockey league, etc.

Even in soccer, where it is more fragmented, we see the same thing. E.g., our MLS has fewer fans and less TV appeal (on a global basis) than does the Bundesliga or the English Premier League - and the latter two leagues have better teams too.

It's almost a universal truth.

The Cubs made more money than most any team and yet they still couldnt win crap.

If your honest with yourself—you’d admit that recruiting and team strength would largely level out if every league had legit access to the playoff. That’s also a near universal the truth.