Everyone benefits from more attention
by Francisco Alonzo
Expanded playoffs have been a major point of contention as many sports have implemented new formats in recent years.
Fans around the world complain that the new playoffs are hurting the integrity of the game. However, I think it is helping the excitement of various sports.
As a sports fan in general, I think the expanded playoffs are not a terrible idea, considering most fans love to watch more games during the postseason. More games mean more playoff revenue, which benefits the teams and the leagues.
In addition to having more games each week, the new format provides an opportunity for underdog teams to fight for their spot in the later stages of the playoffs.
The expanded postseason gives good teams a chance to rest before their game, while allowing smaller teams to pull off a miracle. Who doesn’t like to see the underdog win the championship?
Stories like the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2020, the Green Bay Packers in 2010 or the Washington Nationals in 2019 are more likely because underdog teams are given the opportunity to upset the favorites.
When various leagues like the NFL, NBA and MLB start implementing new playoff formats, you realize that perhaps the positives outweigh the negatives.
Overall, I think that even if most people are not used to the new format, fans will end up liking it because they will realize that having more teams involved in the playoffs creates more buzz and attracts more attention, which is good for the teams, the league and ultimately the sport itself.
Expanded playoffs are hurting professional sports
by Skye Gillespie
The NFL proved why expanded playoffs are bad for professional sports this past season. Sorry Big Ben, but you and the Pittsburgh Steelers did not deserve to be in the playoffs.
Playoffs are where the best of the best teams participate for the title, but that is not the case anymore. Middle-of-the-pack teams are getting a shot when they do not deserve it, and they are not making the most of it.
If anything, expanded playoffs are only hurting fans of the game. Their season is slightly extended, just for them to lose to a team much better than them. It really just gives them false hope.
Last season, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers were the first wild-card team in 43 years to win the Super Bowl. Most wild-card teams will not have a Tom Brady-like player, so this trend will remain the same.
Money is a huge factor in this decision, so the league is not necessarily hurting, but it truly hurts to watch subpar teams get dominated in the playoffs. Unfortunately, it is unlikely for professional sports to go back to a smaller playoff pool. You know what they say: money talks.
Sports fans should prefer quality over quantity and hopefully, more people began to think that way after the NFL wild-card showing. This problem is likely to only get worse, so buckle up sports fans.
Less is more; decision-makers in professional sports need to take notes.
