Op/Ed Feedback: Sport or Business?

Two guys with credibility and strong opinions, Jerry Brown and Barry Irwin, have discussed whether Thoroughbred racing should be more about sport or the business of gambling. At issue is race day Lasix. 
There was a time when legal gambling on Thoroughbred racing was more important than the sports revenue from media rights and sponsorship. 

But now the future of sports revenue is media rights and sponsorship. The NFL is projected to reach $25 billion in revenue with 7% growth over the next12 years. That is just one major league sport. 
Racing revenue from $10 billion in grosshandle, at 20% takeout, isonly $2 billion. Does anyone project racing revenue from wagering will grow? 

So whether Lasix will maintain, raise or lower, the current level of wageringon racing is not nearly as important as the potential to make Thoroughbred racing a crediblesport again. The business model has changed. 
I’m a marketing guy and we look at the upside of different strategies. The upside of wagering is limited to the popularity and credibility of the sport. 

Brown and Irwin have worked hard on their credibility, because it means everything to the people who trust them with their money. 

What about Thoroughbred racing? What about its credibility? Does it matter to the people who decide media rights and sponsorship money? As someone who has sold rights and sponsorship for racing, I assure you it is the first conversation. 
The NFL knows what is at risk right now on the issue of domestic violence. Billions of dollars in media rights and sponsorship are on the line and could derail their plans to get to $25 billion. 

Is there anyone thinking about what can be gained by making our sport valuable again?Is it worth more than the current revenue from wagering?Of course it is, but racing has to become structured like a modern sport and that includes agreed upon rulesthat the people with the gold approve. Then racing can have great value as a sport and legal wagering will grow.