soccer leagues. With promotion and relegation, there are very popular teams with big fan bases that are cut out of the top division for a season or multiple seasons. This national midweek tournament gives them access to some of the overall glory even though they are banished from competing in the top league that year.

It also makes for some opportunities for fascinating Cinderella stories (e.g., March madness types of games) and fascinating matchups when top division teams have to go on the road to play at the lower division teams.

NBA Cup has none of this sporting logic and just screams gimmick.