For Kansas City sports fans, this spring has been more rainy than sunny. Kansas City Royals fans know the heartbreak of a disappointing season that has left them at the bottom of the division. Despite seeking a new stadium deal, the team has lost three games in a row eight times in total, and is yet to win three straight games. This dismal record all but eliminates their chances of making the playoffs, and it is still only May.
Meanwhile, Sporting Kansas City is facing a similar struggle, as they sit near the bottom of the division despite still being in contention for playoff berths. As a fan, the excitement of opening day has given way to the anxiety of whether the team will even be able to compete in the next season, a feeling that is compounded by the fact that the season is not even halfway over yet.
In the 162-game Major League Baseball season, every game matters, which makes each loss and each win all the more significant. Teams at the bottom of the standings often face the prospect of losing over 100 games, a difficult reality for both fans and players to grapple with. However, fans of sports leagues abroad will argue that the worst-performing teams can be the most attractive to root for, as they fight to avoid relegation.
This weekend, the worst-performing sports teams in other parts of the world will compete for a prize that is worth more than a championship: the chance to avoid being demoted to a lower league. Teams like Everton (a football club in Liverpool, England) must win their final Premier League game to avoid being sent to the next level of competition. The prospect of getting demoted carries long-lasting consequences for the team, including lost profits, losing top players, and being jeered by rival fans for years to come.
The possibility of relegation may motivate struggling sports teams like those in Kansas City to improve their performance. In American sports leagues, owners are guaranteed to always have their teams in the specific tier they bought them in, making American sports teams stable assets. However, high-stakes competition created by a league facing relegation may be more profitable than a league of lower-tier teams complacently waiting for their final game. Fan enthusiasm surrounding a team’s struggle to remain in the top leagues can generate more revenue through ticket sales, merchandise sales, and TV viewership.
Adding relegation and promotion to high school sports could also make competition more exciting and fair for students. The NBA is the most adventurous league in reforming its playoff structure, allowing mid-tier teams to play a single game before qualifying to play in the playoff series. This reform, while not as drastic as adding relegation, increases the pressure on struggling teams and allows for exciting playoff upsets.
In conclusion, while the prospect of relegation may seem daunting to American sports fans, it has the potential to make sports leagues more competitive and exciting. Watching teams fight to avoid relegation can make each game more meaningful and increase fan enthusiasm. Adding relegation and promotion to American sports leagues could create a more dynamic and exciting sporting landscape.