The NFL is only 1 example. The MLS, and MLB operate on a cartel basis.
In baseball, american football, soccer, basketball, one can never start a neighborhood team and make it to the pros, no matter how good the team it s.
Only the franchises are allowed in, and once in , you are in as long as you pay your dues.
In the rest of the world, soccer is strictly merit based. You only stay pro as long as you can cut it.
