Tag Archives: ESPN

This is why LeBron James only signed a one year contract with a player option in Cleveland and why Kevin Love didn’t ink a long term extension yet.

 photo courtesy of 110nationalsports.com

According to SI.com, the NBA, ESPN and Turner Sports are close to agreeing on a new TV contract that will pay the Association almost $2 billion dollars a year.

Check the story here from SI.com:

The NBA and broadcast partners ESPN and Turner are likely to agree to a new media rights deal before the 2014-15 season begins, reports SportsBusinessDaily.com.

The new eight-year deal will reportedly be worth more than $2 billion a year on average, with ESPN committing to pay over $1 billion per year and Turner paying close to that figure. That would more than double the value of the current deal, which sees ESPN paying $485 million per year and Turner $415 million per year.

The current media rights deal expires at the conclusion of the 2015-16 season.

It’s my opinion that once the new TV deal gets done, contracts for James and Love will get done as well, as both players max contracts will increase drastically thanks to a new TV contract.

So be patient Cavalier fans and stop worrying that the Cavs gave up too much to get Kevin Love or that “King James” is going to leave after one year. The Cavs can offer both the most lucrative max contract of any of the 32 teams in the league, and to play on a team that will challenge for an NBA title.