Branding, not talent separates the XFL from the NFL
Former NFL quarterback Cardale Jones believes the talent level of the XFL isn’t much different than the NFL. How many great players does the NFL draft leave on the table each year? Teams cut good players all the time. Also, what role does branding play in our ability to evaluate their talent without some bias?
If talent isn’t that far off, is it safe to assume that branding, not skill separates the XFL from the NFL?
Athletically not much separates the XFL college football and the NFL. With football being a team sports, it can be somewhat difficult to gauge a player’s value. There are so many variables that it takes to make a good team. For instance, One player may play terrible in one system while another thrives on another. Furthermore, Nfl teams house the most significant number of players out of the three major sports.
Now that we understand that athletically and talent-wise, there isn’t much a drop-off. How does society’s perception of sports and the pressure to perform influence the marketing of football? Why do we like football in the first place? What do we give it constant control over our emotions when our teams win or lose?
Through marketing, we have given the NFL value. Football is the most-watched of the major sports. Furthermore, a father and son playing catch are used as bonding time on tv since they first arrived in living rooms. Unlike the rise of basketball in the ’80s, football has always been popular.
For example, generational fans of football exists dating back to the ’50-’60s. Besides the lakers and Celtics fans, not many basketball fans brag historically about their teams.
For some cities and states, high school football is life. It’s the most popular event that will take place. For most students is the peak of their life in terms of popularity and social standing. From the cheerleaders to their parents to college scouts, football players perform under pressure, the average person will never understand.
Also, sports is as a way for boys to prove their “manhood” and show their status. Look at all the incentives they are to playing as compared to being a chess or debate team champion. The attention and relevancy we give it reflect our values as a society.
From pee-wee football as a child to high school to college football players are programmed to be in the spotlight and win. Making it to the NFL is a dream come true only for 1.6% of NCAA athletes. It’s not that only the best truly make the league. It’s more so only so many players can play on a team, a season has only so many games,
There isn’t enough room for the NFL to draft the best players. As a result, this gives the NFL an aura of an elite group of players. Their athletic prowess is showcased in the annual combine before the draft. The NFL has to offer the illusion and image that not only the best gets in but that only the best candidates get evaluated.
For example, Cardale Jones lead Division one powerhouse The Ohio State, to a national championship. Several years later, he’s playing for the XFL. Was he not good enough for the NFL, or was he unable to find a system that fit his style of play?.
Sports fans don’t just wake up and decide to become fanatics. Furthermore, every athlete has looked up to some players at some point in their lives. Athletes are or were at some point sports fanatics themselves. Athletes spend countless hours studying their favorite players’ moves to improve their game.
Lastly, if you disagree, ask yourself why the super bowl brings in the most revenue for commercials. The NFL received over 330 million dollars of ad revenue during the 2019 super bowl. What’s even worse is that the super bowl of 2020 represented everything that was wrong with America, yet not many people seemed to be bothered.
If the XFL gets the budget that the NFL has to brand their name, well it’s ratings go up? Sports fanatics already have allegiance to their teams. That is the brand. The power of the mascot, chants, uniforms, winning record all plays roles as well.
In Conclusion, our attention and energy as an infant believe whatever the NFL tells us is what is valuable in our society. Men manipulated to play sports to become wealthy and worshipped. On the other hand, women face pressure to find a wealthy athlete that will erase all their financial troubles away.
Some of the best players of all time such as Jerry Rice and Barry sanders never played at great football colleges.
Do professional sports manipulate us into thinking the true best of the best is in their league? Let us know your thoughts in the comment section below.