It's designed for this purpose. Rome was organizing those games to thrill the romans, it worked splendid. When political concerns gets on the rise, you pump the show.
It works better than your typical propaganda as players become heroes, managers and clubs make great money. Distributors get their cut. The machine is well oiled with solid monetary incentives.
Football (and other sports watching): cheap but deep rooted emotions, press here to get your dose.
