Thursday, June 24, 2004
How To Reform Professional Sports
Big topic, I know, but I just finished cutting the grass and my wife left me a pile of dishes to do ...
1. Every community gets a team in whatever sport they want. And unless the town burns down or slides into the ocean, the team sticks in place. "Expansion" teams start at the bottom and work their way up. No franchise movement whatsoever.
2. Introduce the notion of team relegation and promotion. Easy concept. If a city aspires to the major leagues, it must win the championship of its league and get promoted. As teams are promoted, last place teams in the upper league are relegated to the lower league. An owner wants to conduct a fire sale? No problem, chump; see you in the minors next year. LA wants an NFL team? Earn it the hard way, baby.
3. Unlimited free agency: a player signs a contract for a set period of time. At the end of said period, he or she is free to sign with the old team or any other team wishing his or her services. this would have the (hopeful) effect of keeping player salaries from escalating into the exosphere. Instead of two or three top free agents at a position, a club might opt for signing a younger pro or a lesser talent instead.
4. College athletic scholarships based on financial need only. Or academic ability. Put an end to the farce of NFL & NBA minor leagues on college campuses. If athletes want to go to college, great; if a carrot is needed, give them a bonus for education time when their pension kicks in.
5. Put a hockey team in Kansas City, for heaven's sake. Bobby Hull is talking about a WHA team in Cincinnati. They already have two minor league teams; what the heck do they need a third one for? This is just too much!
