Battlebots and FIRST have a lot of similarities. I agree in the pits they have the same feel - all the teams help each other out.
If a bot get trashed people swap tools and parts to get it working. If anything the level of sportsmanship is better at Battlebots - because no-one can "throw" a game or deliberately score 0 points to spite their opponent.

Now the purpose of Battlebots is to MAKE MONEY FOR THE PROMOTERS. The purpose of FIRST is to GET KIDS EXCITED ABOUT SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY.

Battlebots is good as what it does and as a sideline generates some interest in S&T. FIRST is very good at S&T and not very good at getting lots of money.

Why can't we all just get along! I think FIRST should sell the TV rights to BATTLEBOTS - and use the $$$ to grow the program.
Innovation FIRST sells radios to Battlebots - the battlebot promoters know and respect FIRST - I think it is up to the FIRST board of directors to examine some way in which BB can be used to promote FIRST.