Quote by Hunter S. Thompson
There is a progression of understanding vis-?-vis pro football that varies drastically with the factor of distance -- physical, emotional, intellectual and every other way. Which is exactly the way it should be, in the eyes of the amazingly small number of people who own and control the game, because it is this finely managed distance factor that accounts for the high-profit mystique that blew the sacred institution of baseball off its national pastime pedestal in less than fifteen years.
Summary
This quote highlights the varying levels of understanding and engagement with professional football, depending on one's proximity to the sport. It suggests that the owners and controllers of the game intentionally manipulate this distance factor to perpetuate a sense of mystique and profitability. By strategically creating a sense of exclusivity and allure, football was able to surpass baseball as America's national pastime within a short span of time. The quote implies that this calculated management of distance plays a significant role in shaping public perception and interest in the sport.