4. Micky Arison ($7 billion), Miami Heat
Even though Arison dropped out of the University of Miami, he did not let that early setback impede him from success. After earning his fortune with Carnival Cruises, Arison has turned his attention to the hardwood, lavishing LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh with lavish contracts to form a “Big 3”. The decision paid off handsomely for Arison, with 4 consecutive trips to the Finals and championships during the 2012 and 2013 seasons.
3. Mikhail Prokhorov ($9.5 billion), Brooklyn Nets
Prokhorov is one of the more colorful owners on this list, with a well deserved reputation as a mogul and a playboy. He is one of the richest men in all of Russia and made headlines with his willingness to pay into the NBA’s punitive luxury tax policy. In a league where most team payrolls do not exceed $$80 million, Prokhorov spent that in 2014 on luxury tax alone. While rumors have circulated that Prokhorov is willing to sell his stake in the team due to the decline in the value of the ruble, no definitive statement has been made.
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