The young year has been filled with league collapse and merger talks. The number of teams folding hasn't changed much, but it has happened to some nice leagues.

Hockey and Basketball do not follow Major League Baseball's lead. For what it costs to keep one good bench warmer in the NBA, most of those franchises could own a AAA team. For two bench warmers you get AAA, AA, A level teams plus all of the dimly-lit arenas you can fill.

NBDL or no NBDL, CHL/WPHL merger or no, the NBA the NHL and the NFL need to formalize their minor league farm systems.

The minor hockey leagues and, to a lesser extent, the minor basketball leagues have proven that there is a market for fans in mid-sized cities who want to watch players above the college level but not ready for a night at the Staples Center. Arena Football flourishes, even in markets with dominant baseball programs.

James Carville had the sign over his desk "It's the Economy, Stupid," to remind himself and his fellow Clintonites that their election success hinged on the economy.

In minor league sports, it's the economics, not the economy. Economics which center around player salaries.

With a structure like that of the baseball minors, these other sports, which struggle to maintain franchises with competitive salaries, would be able to function far better than they do now.

Most franchises outside of gambling zones (Bossier-Shreveport in particular) barely make ends meet. $200,000 in salary means the difference between a healthy franchise and one that struggles, in many cases.

Why wouldn't a major club want a minor league feeder system? Merchandising, baby.

Without those fans addicted to major and college gear, those institutions lose a serious stream of revenue. There aren't enough people in Cleveland to buy all of the Cavs gear needed to generate revenue to pay those lofty player salaries. You don't sell to kids in Akron, and Dayton, and you're going to be losing bucks.

Some would argue, though, that affiliations with major clubs only strengthen the demand for that club's product in cities where their minor league teams play.

Many owners also think that the colleges and the high schools still offer them a great (and largely free) resource for players. This is true to a point. There are many players who need a couple of years of seasoning before taking on the world. And what better place to send the Rodmans of the world but down to the minors for some cooling off?

Developing systems for basketball, hockey and football is just good business. Increasing the scope of live sports entertainment provides more interest in sports where people are increasingly turned-off by strikes, criminal trials, and whining multimillionaire athletes complaining about each others' deals.

Viability begins at home. The sports without affiliated leagues need to affiliate, and soon, if the minor systems are to endure and flourish in more murky financial times.

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It's The Economics, [Stupid].