The NFL does a few things to keep "small market teams" competitive.

- Revenue is shared thoughout the league funding all teams equally.

- Owners have a salary minimum and maximum to spend. No matter what, everyone is around the same payroll.

(from ESPN AM's Mike & Mike)
From Superbowl 1 though 27, 19 teams have played in the biggest game.
From Superbowl 28 though 40, 18 teams have played in the biggest game.

Free agency and the salary cap was installed around Superbowl 27. This just shows that the system works. It keeps everyone into the game and you never know what team will end up on top.




Now look at Baseball.

Teams are in financial ruin (Tampa Bay, KC, etc)
Owners dismantle teams and take all the past revenue for their personal spending (Marlins)
Teams over spend and put together all-star teams (NY Yankees, NY Mets)
Teams work within a budget they can afford and never succeed (Brewers, Pirates, etc)

There are 8 teams in their playoff system ... you always know 4 teams that are going to be there. (Yankees, Red Sox, Cardinals, and Braves)