[Goose]

More is better than less,

until it becomes too much.

and this model ensures much greater access to the playoff franchise, which always increases interest in the game, which means more viewers, which means more revenue.

As long as there is demand for more football, this model works. However, what I believe will happen is that many people will regard the regular season as a bore, especially when your team will either a) get in anyway because of who they are or b) has no chance. This approach is further dividing a limited size pie into more pieces (games), not creating a bigger pie. Five years ago, that may not have been true, but I think it is true today. We have all seen a "softening" of the sports market in recent years. This change won't alter the trend.

Let's face it. Playoffs don't really determine who the "best" team is, if that concept really means anything. One bad game and your out. The non-transitive property of sports basically ensures that is true. Playoffs between good teams can be fun to watch, no matter who wins, but they don't have the cachet they used to. The old vote for #1 was subjective, but at least it didn't claim otherwise.

[Goose]

More is better than less,

until it becomes too much.

and this model ensures much greater access to the playoff franchise, which always increases interest in the game, which means more viewers, which means more revenue.

As long as there is demand for more football, this model works. However, what I believe will happen is that many people will regard the regular season as a bore, especially when your team will either a) get in anyway because of who they are or b) has no chance. This approach is further dividing a limited size pie into more pieces (games), not creating a bigger pie. Five years ago, that may not have been true, but I think it is true today. We have all seen a "softening" of the sports market in recent years. This change won't alter the trend.

Let's face it. Playoffs don't really determine who the "best" team is, if that concept really means anything. One bad game and your out. The non-transitive property of sports basically ensures that is true. Playoffs between good teams can be fun to watch, no matter who wins, but they don't have the cachet they used to. The old vote for #1 was subjective, but at least it didn't claim otherwise.