"In the first five NBA Finals after he took the helm in early 1984, the Celtics and Lakers won all five titles, each missing the decisive series just once. Current commissioner Adam Silver recalled the anecdote last June, ahead of the 2025 NBA Finals, by which time the league was guaranteed a seventh different champion in seven years. We set out to create a system that allowed for more competition around the league, Silver said then in his annual news conference."
"When the Los Angeles Dodgers loaded up on talent yet again before the 2025 MLB season, seemingly fated to repeat as champions, commissioner Rob Manfred acknowledged that, We certainly have owners in the game who are as concerned as fans are about the level of disparity in the game. For decades, the heads of American sports leagues have argued that parity is necessary to sustain fan interest and to stay financially sustainable."
David Stern joked his job was handing the championship trophy between Boston and Los Angeles during Celtics-Lakers dominance in the 1980s. Adam Silver sought systems to increase competition so all 30 teams, if well managed, can compete, aiming for parity of opportunity. Roger Goodell said fans should enter each season believing their team could win. Rob Manfred acknowledged owner concern when the Dodgers stacked talent. Leagues implement salary caps, revenue sharing, drafts, redistributions and other mechanisms to maintain competitive balance. For decades league heads have argued parity sustains fan interest and financial viability.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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