The NFL is a closed league. Its championship game is annually the most watched 4 hours of global television. Its most valuable club is worth $10 Billion, more than any other sporting property in the world, and one of its least successful recently sold for more than Chelsea (edit: double the price).The question is the format.
While the clubs might be more attractive in themselves, does anyone care about an end of season game between a 12th and a 15th place team in a perpetual league?
Would you rather watch the 4-11 Bengals vs 5-10 Jaguars or the Grey Cup Final. I’ll take the latter even if the standard is lower as there’s a meaningful game being played.
I get a lot of the arguments from traditionalists, and really, really hope Spurs dodge the inevitable ESL because I don't want it. But the money in the sport doesn't give a fuck about tradition and will only allow it to slow, not prevent, the inevitable.