What is the purpose of the playoffs in sports?

[Thudlow_Boink]

@Telemark

Drama.

This is the one-word answer. To expand on it a bit, the following comment from the “Why is March Madness such a big deal” thread seems quite appropriate here:

@Hampshire

For whatever reason people are very attracted to anything where finalists are slowly eliminated. NHL, MLB, NBA, NFL playoffs, and pretty much any competition type reality show (American Idol, The Bachelor, Dancing With The Stars, etc.)