The reason why the Genovese are called the Ivy League is because they are the more intellectual of the 5 families, and they have a history of outclassing the others. They have a history of finessing government and legitimate business with as little violence as possible. If you had to do business with the mob, it just couldn't be avoided, which family would you prefer to deal with? That's why they're called the Ivy League.
"...the successful annihilation of organized crime's subculture in America would rock the 'legitimate' world's foundation, which would ultimately force fundamental social changes and redistributions of wealth and power in this country. Meyer Lansky's dream was to bond the two worlds together so that one could not survive without the other." - Dan E. Moldea
