This is important, and is the type of thing being overlooked. While I'm tired of hearing people talking about "reimagining" things, I do think we should do that with high school football playoffs. It's the super big matchups- which rarely happen in Florida playoffs- which can be the tide that raises all boats. Too many in the FHSAA think small, VERY small. Create the conditions for huge matchups and they'll happen. And interest will be on a new level which will create new revenue streams. Perhaps it is time for a new organization which is aimed at competing with the FHSAA to be launched. 

The sad thing is coaches in general would never agree to consolidating classes. That means it would be harder to win a title. They wouldn’t care if we had 12 classes. More of a chance to “win” something. So you will never get coaches and ADs on board because their job security depends on their success (most of the time) and watered down playoffs mean better shots at advancing further.    “Regional finalist” in a watered down bracket sounds better than 1st round loser in a tough one 

Having said what I did above, I think it would be a fascinating study to see what the gross proceeds (after adjusting for inflation of course) from all the playoff games from say, 1995 when they were substantially fewer classes, would compare with the gross proceeds from all the 2023 playoff games.  I would not at all be surprised if 1995 won. 

Understood. But 25% of $20,000 is a lot more than 25% of $5,000. Now of course these are arbitrary amounts pulled out of a hat and may not even be reflective of the current situation. But it would take four $5,000 dollar games to cover the one $20,000 dollar game. And I think it's safe to say that 25% of the pot from a typical Apopka playoff game (especially when they are having a good season), is going to be substantially better than 25% of the pot from a Lyman game (not beating up on Lyman, just picking a school out of the hat).  The point is that bringing a lot more schools into the playoffs does not guarantee that the pot that the FHSAA gets its 25% from will necessarily increase. A lot depends on the fan bases of the schools in the playoffs and of the attractiveness of each game played.   

FHSAA gets 25% of the gate of every playoff game.