I would suggest golf and boxing as counter-examples to your theory. Those sports were way more popular in 1930 than football, basketball, or hockey.
Joe Louis, Jack Dempsey, Gene Tunney in boxing - just to name a few, would still be considered among the all-time greats.
Ben Hogan, Bobby Jones, Walter Hagen in golf.
The popularity of the sport has more to do with it than anything.
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