In 2014 the NBA signed a nine-year, $24 billion contract with ESPN that promised a bright future for players and the league. The termination of contracts with Marc Stein, Chad Ford, Henry Abbott, among others puts a chill on what happens after the contract expires.
The Miami Heat face tough decisions on contracts, arena renovations, content generation strategies going forward. Contract negotiations between the NBA and ESPN begin about four years from now, with the realization that players may take significant pay cuts once the present agreement ends.
The network has lost 12 million subscribers over the past five years and launched a company-wide reform that included shaking up many of its traditional shows and letting go of familiar faces.