Conferences are no longer needed in Professional Sports

I would argue conferences, divisions, and leagues are no longer needed in professional sports. From this point forward I’ll refer to conferences, leagues, and divisions in professional sports as ‘conferences’ for simplicity sake. First, let’s evaluate this concept from a point/counter point analysis.

Point – We need conferences because, ‘rivalries’ are essential.

Counter point – Even the most traditionally heated rivalries are cooling each and every year. With the increase of free agency, trades, and player movement amongst teams, rivalries are all but finished from a player’s perspective. With the increase of favorite players now playing for the rival team, rivalries are all but finished from a fans perspective. Todays rivalries are made by teams playing each other in the playoffs on a regular basis.

Point – We need conferences because, it makes sense geographically.

Counter point – When teams traveled by trains this made sense. With private charter planes waiting for teams at the airport, we no longer need to worry about geographical alignment.

Point – We need conferences because, fan’s like watching their team play the same teams multiple times a year.

Counter point – Maybe our grandfathers would hold to this belief, but not the majority of fans today. I trust you’re not delusional enough to think your favorite team wants to win more because they’re playing a team from a neighboring state or city. The players on your favorite team didn’t grow up in your city, and they don’t dislike the neighboring state or city like you do.

Point – We need conferences because, teams playing for a conference title is exciting.

Counter point – Teams playing for playoff seeding is more exciting, and who cares about a conference title.

• Conferences hinder us from having the best teams in the playoffs. Naturally, some conferences are better than others. A team vying for a playoff spot shouldn’t be penalized for playing in a stronger conference, nor should a team have an advantage of making the playoffs because they play in a weaker conference. Teams having to endure a brutal playoff run because they play in a stronger conference shouldn’t be penalized, nor should a team having a cake walk through the playoffs have an advantage because they play in a weaker conference. The playoffs are the most exciting time of the season. Having the best teams in the post-season, seeded appropriately makes the most sense.

Just to be clear. I’m only talking about professional sports, not college sports. College rivalries and conferences are awesome.