Promotion and Relegation in American Sports

[Starbreaker]

Could any American sport ever make promotion and relegation work? It was just a thought I had after seeing how successful it is England.

Would it be an added incentive for teams like the Pirates and Marlins in the MLB, who are content sitting on tons of payroll, to actually go out and get good players and try to compete?

Would it be good for teams like the Raiders and the Lions who have consistent down years to try and stay near the middle of the pack?

Obviously several more teams would have to be added in the future. But plenty of people go to minor league games, so the desire to go to games is out there. I don't think it would damage fan bases too much.

I don't think this would happen any time soon; just wanted to see what you guys think about it.

 

[Timby]

No union would ever consent.

 

[Jax]

Last day scrap to avoid Relegation in the Premier League is always a treat to watch. Best one ever was in 2005 where 4 teams could stay up (3 relegation places up for grab) because no one had been officially relegated yet and during the afternoon at somepoint each of them had been safe.

You Americans are missing out.

 

[Danny99]

I'd love to see a league over here try this. It would mean better product for all, cause a team like the Yankees would only be playing good caliber teams, while a team like the Orioles might have a chance to win when they aren't playing the Rays, Yankees, and Red Sox for a good chunk of their schedule.

 

[AdmiralGarak]

Zero chance.

There's no interest in lower tier professional basketball or football. College sports dominate that market. Relegate the Rams or the Timberwolves and they'd simply die off.

Professional hockey and baseball already have their own alternative to relegation in place, with franchises moving players instead of the leagues moving teams. It would be impossible to institute relegation into those sports.

 

[SmoothieX]

This idea is stupider than Han shooting first.

 

[Starbreaker]

At least I'm not a Mets fan.

 

[SmoothieX]

True, but watching your Braves bite it in mid-September despite being in 1st place most of the year endears me to them. Such a familiar feeling. Maybe Glavine will come out of retirement to give up 18 runs in 1 inning in their last game.