Our chosen sport does need money. Good TV coverage does attract Sponsors (Money). TV coverage does bring the sport to the screens of the general public. I have met up with lot of "civilians" who follow the World Super Bikes because of TV coverage, they have found it more exciting than F1 Cars. The late and Great Barry Sheen became popular through TV exposure. I recently smashed up both ankles and the left tibia at motocross and because of the graphic metalwork, unexpected people have compared my lifestyle to Barry. Very flattering to a silly old f*rt like me.
Yes, I most cetainly agree that a higher percentage of the big bucks, generated by any TV coverage, must be passed back to the heroic riders.