One of the strangest things about the failed Super League launch has been the insistence that it's needed to appeal to young fans. Leaving aside the implied insult (that kids are too stupid to understand anything except Big Club vs. Big Club), it misses the point. 1/6

Being a sports fan nowadays is really, really, REALLY expensive. Sports on TV, going to watch live sports, jerseys, cards, everything. Pro and college are the same. All my local teams are tied to absurdly expensive TV packages; tickets for everything cost a ton. 2/6

What is the most popular sport in America? The one that's almost always on free over-the-air TV. Pretending that this is unconnected is nonsense. 3/6

I keep hearing some version of "Oh, kids only watch highlights on YouTube, they don't watch games." YouTube's free (AND it's on before ten o'clock at night). 4/6

I recognize that every - EVERY - sports team is scrambling for cash at all times. I understand that TV deals, and expensive tickets, and outlandishly priced merchandise, are what keep teams running - major, minor, college, everything. I understand how the sausage is made. 5/6

But don't insult us by theorizing that kids, or fans at large, or whoever would be interested in these sports if only something major changed about them - how leagues are structured, or how the games are played.

They aren't interested because being a fan costs too damn much.