No alternate history or science fiction story is as far-fetched as this proposal: a European-style business model for a North American sports league.
If you don't follow soccer, you might not be acquainted with the idea of promotion and relegation. English soccer is the most famous example. The Premier League is the best league in the world. Below it exists the EFL Championship, roughly the equivalent of Triple A baseball. At the end of every season, the bottom-three teams of the Premier League are banished to the lower league-and replaced by the top teams in the Championship.
It's harder to imagine this system for some U.S. sports than others. Where would a bad NFL team go? Professional football teams don't maintain minor league affiliates. They retain the nearly good-enough players to fill out their practice squads. The USFL and XFL sometimes exist as lower-tier pro leagues. Certainly, either organization would love to suddenly boast the Chicago Bears. But everyone knows who the 33rd- and 34th-best football teams in America are: the Universities of Georgia and Alabama. So bad NFL teams go back to school? Rebuilding shouldn't mean adding French classes between tackling drills.
The NBA makes a little more sense. It has the 30 G League teams. Most of those teams would have to rebrand, however, before being eligible for promotion. If the Windy City Bulls, South Bay Lakers, and the Westchester Knicks all got bumped up to the NBA, there might be confusion.
Denne historien er fra May - June 2023-utgaven av Sports Illustrated Kids.
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Denne historien er fra May - June 2023-utgaven av Sports Illustrated Kids.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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Sister Act
Meet Brooke, Tai, and Rainn Sheppard, three athletes from Brooklyn who are excelling in their sport, spreading optimism, and thriving off the track.
How to Win at the Slots
When offenses started moving receivers inside to exploit matchups, defenses countered by inventing a part-time linebacker-safety-corner hybrid. In today’s NFL, that’s one of the most important (and challenging) spots on the field.
Do Teams Fire Coaches Too Quickly?
ON JANUARY 6 the Tennessee Titans beat the Kansas City Chiefs for their first playoff win in 14 years.
Court Vision
Former point guard DORIS BURKE uses her hoops knowledge— and a tireless work ethic—to be one of the best NBA analysts.
embiid, indiid
after two years in which he contemplated quitting as he battled injuries and nursed shirley temples, joel embiid is finally in the 76ers’ lineup — and out to validate “the process.”
Should Franchises Ever Relocate?
ON JANUARY 12, the San Diego Chargers announced that they were relocating to Los Angeles.
Get Your Head In The Game
In sports you train your body to be in tip-top shape. But what about your mind? Meet Graham Betchart, who is on a quest to expand mental conditioning throughout athletics.
Island Livin
A cornerback must have confidence and control to shut down opposing receiver's in today's pass-happy NFL
late breakout
in his 12th year in pro football, bills linebacker lorenzo alexander has proved what his teammates have always known: this guy can play.
Minkah Fitzpatrick
Team :Alabama Crimson Tide ,Position: Defensive Back, Spotlight :After winning a second national title at Alabama, this serious (and seriously talented) go-getter will pursue success at the game’s top level.
