xena wrote:How long before they charge to get on a mountain at a GT? How long before TV subs start to cost stupid money ? etc
All of this isn't that weird at all. The whole system on which cycling lives is broken. They all depend on sponsors for any sort of income while any other sports gain money on stadium prices or other fan involvement. Imagine having to pay a very small fee to gain acces to a mountain to see them ride? Teams will get money out of this, and fans are more controlled so less likely to get overpopulated and crazy situations like Ventoux this year or Alpe D'huez every time climb it.
Of course people will protest saying it removes the charmes of cycling (and being so close to the riders). But you can still be close and if they only do this on the mountain finish you can see them for free on any other place along the route. Personally I wouldn't mind paying between 2 to 5 euro's for it. Of course there is 1 big problem with this idea, ASO organises 2 of GT"s and they aren't known for sharing profits with the teams.
And in certain countries and certain sports it already is behind a pay wall to watch cycling. More then half of the cyclocross races are behind a Belgium pay channel for example.