Baltimorican
Veteran
3. Parity existing in the NFL is a measurement of financial success, not on-field success. They're different things. Individual teams make more $ than others, and draw higher TV ratings than others. The redistribution of wealth after the fact only bolsters the financial statements of the org, it doesn't bolster the TV ratings or their ability to draw $. Hence why they favor certain teams over others for primetime games.
Parity on-field, in terms of team performance, really isn't any better or worse than the three other major sports.
Yes, yes it does bolster the TV ratings because small market teams aren't farm teams for the top 10 markets like in every other pro league. In the NFL, all 32 fan bases are tuned in to the offseason with Free Agency because all 32 teams can afford major Free Agents. Small market teams become perennial powerhouses and gain national fan bases. Every single team, no matter how bad the owner, no matter how hapless, is a 3 yr rebuild away from hoisting a trophy. The parity is so unique that not only can a bottom feeder beat a top team any given Sunday, they can KICK THIER TEETH IN.
MLB is nothing like that, small market teams can win a division but the top 10 markets win 80% of the championships, the top 15 win them all. NBA small market teams are only competitive through draft lottery luck until their generational player hits FA. Let's not talk about international soccer.