I feel bad for Yacht Club Games. If Shovel Knight does indeed get in, they will get SO much backlash. People are already calling him a "fad" and "one hit wonder" yet I think he's already becoming a big character in gaming. GOTY last year, crossed over with Kratos and Battletoads, possibly getting an amiibo, has done crossovers with other indies, and is going to be in an upcoming one, he's on the rise. Whether he should get in over other 3rd parties or Nintendo characters is something else entirely.
And it's TOTALLY not like he would get even more popular in Smash...actually, how would you guys react to an indie pack? Shovel Knight playable, indie trophies, and other mii costumes. I would love to see this, and be the perfect homage to all the loyal "nindies".