George Steinbrenner 's Yankees could n't have a $200 million a year payroll without a local TV contract .
Athletes long ago could not have reached the cult status of rock stars without the national exposure TV affords .
George Steinbrenner 's Yankees could n't have a $200 million a year payroll without a local TV contract , and athletes long ago could not have reached the cult status of rock stars without the national exposure TV affords .