Power structures: money and market size aren't all a franchise needs to get way ahead. It also needs a great front office setup--y'know, like the ...(SPECIAL SECTION)

New England Patriots. Bill Belichick handles New England's personnel from both the front office and the sideline, with backing from owner Robert Kraft (who has gotten more hands-off with age). Belichick was hired in January 2000 and brought in Scott Pioli as his personnel deputy two weeks later. Within two years, Belichick and Pioli had turned the Patriots into Super Bowl champs, relying on overlooked players such as Bryan Cox, Antowain Smith and, of course, sixth-round draft pick Tom Brady. The team has made bold personnel moves, emphasizing a team of replaceable parts by getting rid of popular players--Drew Bledsoe, Lawyer Milloy, Ty Law--before they became salary cap burdens. The results are undeniable: three Super Bowl championships in four years.

San Antonio Spurs. Says one pro scout of the Spurs and Pistons, who are a close second to the defending champs among NBA franchises: "Those two teams listen to the people in their organizations. Most teams have a bunch of scouts who never get heard, and sometimes you wonder why you bother filing reports." The Spurs have a relatively small front office, with power centralized in the pairing of coach Gregg Popovich and general manager R.C. Buford, but the duo is open to input from anyone in ...