4. The New England Patriots’ Legacy is Nearly Defeated

2015 is the Year of Fine.
Estimated Total Fine: $1 million*
Tom Brady, the quarterback for the New England Patriots, was embroiled in a scandal involving the deflation of game balls in order to have a stronger grip on the ball during the 2014 AFC Championship Game versus the Colts. The New England Patriots were penalized $1 million by the NFL for cheating, and two of their 2016 draft selections were withheld.

The New England Patriots’ Legacy is Nearly Delayed ©Getty Images/Maddie Malhotra
It was not so easy for Tom Brady. He missed out on slightly over $3 million in pay during his four-game suspension in 2015. It’s fortunate that he got sponsorships from Footlocker, Under Armour, and other companies to help with bills in the interim.