It has nothing to do with the fans really. The fans are spoiled by success, yes...but you have as an example the Chicago Cubs owned by the Tribune. The fans love the Cubs, sell out Wrigley every year, TV notoriety nationwide, but the Tribune would rather make a profit than spend money on players. If it means the Cubs lose 10-15 more games a year, so be it. Carl Pohlad...the Twins owner...is worth double the money Steinbrenner is. He doesn't want to spend the money, he just won't do it. The Braves fortunately can have that matter overlooked per they have John Schuerholz as GM...one of the best damn baseball minds of this generation as well as Cox in the dugout.
A salary cap would help in baseball...but they also need a salary floor which is the real solution that helps the NFL. There is a minimum the teams are required to spend on their players. That helps the Green Bays and the Indianapolises and smaller markets of the NFL compete.
I'm tired of the whining of the small market owners. Many of them could find some way to spend money if they truly wanted to...they just don't want to they'd rather fatten their coffers with profits. Too bad we couldn't strip them of their teams and give them to companies/people that will make them competitive.
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which is why all the attention and venom directed at Steinbrenner's spending really pisses me off. There's owners and ownership groups with far greater resources at hand who allow their teams to flounder, while Steinbrenner who spends money to make money and deeply cares about the fans being able to take pride in the Yankees gets villified for it. Yes, not every team has a fanbase like the New York metro area to draw from, but competitive teams draw fans. IIRC the Yankees attendance was below league average when they were losing in the late 80's/early 90's. Steinbrenner built the attendance up by winning and bringing in marquee talent.
and I agree, I'd like to see a floor/cap in baseball as well, even if it means the Yankees struggling to rebuild through the farm system, it would be worth it to shut up everyone who bitches about the money they spend