The one factor that separates harmless tournament and playoff expansions from ruinous ones

The author argues that playoff and tournament expansions succeed only when a sport already commands established viewer habits, differentiating harmless growth from harmful dilution. While college football, the NFL, and the men's World Cup possess entrenched audiences that withstand watered-down regular seasons, emerging competitions face significant risks by expanding too soon.

The piece contends that properties like Major League Soccer and the NWSL diminish their appeal through bloated playoff formats before establishing that regular matches matter. The writer warns that while expanding lucrative competitions generates quick revenue, it prioritizes short-term monetization over long-term competitive drama.