Federal anti-trust exemption? How much is that really worth to MLB or to the NFL? With both major sports just about fully built-out, who in their right mind would want to start a competing league? All the major cities, and quite a few mid-size ones, are taken.
Both sports should ask Congress to yank the exemption & take their investigatory power & .... well, you know.
I’m an Eagles fan, but if they couldn’t win on the field... who cares?
It has more to do with revenue sharing than competition from any start-up leagues. The revenue generated from TV. Without it, small market teams would not be able to compete financially. Eventually, the league would eat itself.