Miami Heat
Wikimedia Commons: HumongoNationphotography
Financial bullying is difficult in the NBA, but doable. The NBA has a salary cap, but you can go over it if you’re willing to pay what’s called a luxury tax, basically an extra dollar to the league for every dollar over the cap you spend. The Miami Heat, owned by cruise ship magnate Micky Arison, are sometimes willing to pay the tax. And speaking of tax, the fact that Florida doesn’t have a state income tax is high on the list of things team president Pat Riley mentions to free agents, presumably right after plopping his championship rings on the negotiating table.
Related: Cracked Round-Up: Beat the Heat Edition
The New Money of The English Premier League
For a league with built-in relegation and promotion, the EPL sure is a league of haves and have-nots (more on that later). But an influx of cash from UAE prime minister Sheikh Mansour and Thai billionaires has opened up opportunities for other clubs. Manchester City especially seems to relish no longer being the little brother to Man United, tossing around cash and winning five championships since 2012.