I suspect you underestimate the appeal and legacy of college sports.
Look at basketball where a professional minor league exists side by side with college sports. It’s not the pro option which has the Television contract, March Madness tournament, brobdingnagian attendance figures, and front of sport section headlines. I follow sports pretty heavily and have no idea where the Santa Cruz “Sea Dubs” finished in their league.
Even in baseball with over a century of history I can’t tell you where the SJ Giants finished - and I attended several games.
Look at basketball where a professional minor league exists side by side with college sports. It’s not the pro option which has the Television contract, March Madness tournament, brobdingnagian attendance figures, and front of sport section headlines. I follow sports pretty heavily and have no idea where the Santa Cruz “Sea Dubs” finished in their league.
Even in baseball with over a century of history I can’t tell you where the SJ Giants finished - and I attended several games.
In 1938 Neville Chamberlain declared "Peace in our time", Superman first appeared in Action Comics, Seabiscuit beat War Admiral ....... and C.a.l last won the Rose Bowl.