Goodell ruined draft
I believe the popularity of the draft as well as the entire offseason points back to what the NFL has done over the past 20 plus years to bring competitive balance to the league. You look at the landscape of the league and every fanbase believes their team has a shot to win it all. You can go from worst to first very easily in the NFL. There is no more 3 to 4 year rebuilds anymore. I think that's why you've seen the popularity of the draft skyrocket and become this huge extravaganza.
Small markets have always been part of the League dating back to the Lombardi Packers.
Sure, you have NY, Dallas, and Philadelphia mixed in, but there isn’t a panic when the League’s top star is in a flyover state.
Not to bring this to the NBA, but I think the reason you don’t see a jump there is because the NBA has always been focused around a select number of teams.
Add to that, small markets are always threatened with their star players leaving or forcing their way out.
There is player movement in the NFL, but not like it is in the NBA.
Heck, the Pelicans are about to have their third superstar bolt for a large market team.
In the NFL, you can have a franchise like the Saints or Chiefs and keep a Brees, Kamera, Mahomes, or Kelce and become a worldwide figure from New Orleans or Kansas City.