Quote DemonUK="DemonUK"What's up with a sliding scale based on performance on the pitch.'"
If it's pronounced it tends to lock in success (and by extension failure) in a self-reinforcing cycle.
It's no coincidence, for example, that the EPL developed a big 4 (Liverpool, Man Utd, Chelsea and Arsenal for some years, Man City taking Liverpool's place now I guess) and also had 4 richly rewarded spots in the Euro Big Cup.
The Premier League [uas a sporting competition[/u is cack for about four-fifths of its participants.
Now SL has also had a big 4, I admit, even without the distorting effect of something like the Big Cup. But all the more reason, IMO.
The reward for performance on the pitch is wins and ideally trophies. A bit of prize money for the players aside, any financial benefits should come from increased fan interest.