The National Football League is the most popular sport in America and the highest-grossing league in the world. Why the NFL so popular?

The league has true geographical parity, appealing to folks across the heartland and beyond. With a hard salary cap that’s the same across all teams (unlike Major League Baseball), each team can compete for free agents. In fact, some of the league’s most marquee franchises are in towns like Green Bay, Pittsburgh, and Kansas City. Superstars choose the team that’s the best fit and pays the most, whether the team is in Indianapolis or Miami. In contrast, big-city coastal teams have almost always dominated the National Basketball Association. The idea of a marquee free agent choosing the Memphis Grizzlies over the Los Angeles Lakers is laughable.

The league exemplifies the combination of toughness and intelligence. These players are big, fast, and hit like a ton of bricks. Yet, they are processing complex information in real-time, adjusting formations and trading assignments. Combining these two aspects makes viewers feel both tough and intelligent when watching their favorite team. In particular, blue collar workers get to feel this combination despite not necessarily having a college degree or doing strategy-type work at the job.

The league is more focused on teams and institutions as opposed to individual players. With 22 men on the field and 53 players on the roster, the attention is less focused on one specific player. That means fans root for a team as an entity, and that fandom stays even as players leave. In contrast, the NBA only has 10 men on the court, and there are no helmets, so we get attached to specific players. When an NBA superstar leaves a team, it’s devastating. When an NFL player departs, fans discuss how the team will adjust. For example, there were LeBron James fans in Cleveland, whereas fans rooted for the Cleveland Browns for generations without getting attached to a single quarterback.

The league’s schedule means each game matters more. With 16 regular season games and single elimination playoffs, each game is vital and commands a large audience. In addition, fantasy sports and gambling enhance the NFL more than any other league.

With a new collective bargaining agreement ensuring 10 years of labor peace, Americans will continue to tune in every Sunday.