Welcome to the SportsBiz Conversation
A Salary Cap is not the answer, it is not effective in the NBA and it will not work in MLB. An alternative to a Hard Salary cap would be economic and geographical realignment.
I dont think a salary cap would solve the problem of fairness, I think you need to add a 2 teams to make it 32 teams. Add 2 playoff spots so there is 12 of 32 who can make the playoffs and instead of restrict a players earnings realign teams based on payroll spent. example:
Yanks, Red Soxs, Mets, Phils in one division and Teams like the Pirates, Nationals, Indians, Reds in another. This would ensure teams with lower payrolls can be represented in the playoffs. As you spend more you change divisions. This would keep the schedule fresh and teams like the Pirates and Royals would have a chance to play in October.
check out the plan at:
http://thefairball.com/mlb-reali...alignment-plan/
It's an interesting idea but I doubt that a sport as tradition bound as MLB would ever seriously consider busting up the two leagues for such a drastic overhaul. The idea of both leagues adopting the designated hitter is a non-starter in my opinion, but then I grew up on the National League.
I'm not sure you still solve the basic inequities of market, local television and spending power. Sure, there might be a division race that has some interest in September but if that means a shot at playing a wildcard from a free spending division and an early exit, and it happens year after year, will the small market fans truly care enough to come out? Marlins fans didn't come out during the World Series years but there were additional factors.
Those additional factors are present in every market. Most teams now have new stadiums so it will be about 10 years before the cycle begins again. At that point, the small market teams will again be placed at a huge disadvantage for the inability to secure the same type and price of seat license that large market teams can attract. Free agents go where the money is - until you control the money you can get parity. Ask the NFL.
If you really want to add some interest to September for the small market teams, then adopt the European soccer promotion/relegation system. The bottom two teams in each league, by overall won-loss record are demoted to the AAA, while the top two teams in each of the AAA leagues are promoted to the majors. You don't think that would lend some interest to the bottom of the standings? Works wonders in Europe as some of the biggest crowds of the season are for bottom of the table teams on the last two weekends as they fight to stay up in the top league.
i dont think MLB or anyone else can make the Yankees market equal to the Marlins market. In 2008 the Yankees invested about 55 cents on the dollat to payroll where the Marlins invested 15 cents on the dollar.I am saying put the Marlins in a division of team that spend like the Marlins. so if the Marlins make the playoffs they would not face the Yankees until the World Series and we know they can win that one.
The Marlins actually were 11th in MLB in attendance in 1997 ahead of the Red Soxs and right behind the Yankees. In 97 the Marlins were top 10 in payroll also.
Commenting by HaloScan
