The network contracts are the difference between what LeBron makes and what LeBron is actually worth.
Without the tv revenue top stars would be lucky to make $1 million a year.
If the ratings are still down next year I expect an advertiser revolt. There have to be advertiser protections built into the contracts. I don’t see any business lawyer worth his pay not to include some.
People forget that prime time basketball is a relatively new phenomena. Basketball was dead until the Johnson/Byrd era and didn’t really break into prime time until Jordan.
Looks like the NBA will be headed back to late late night if anything.
The middle aged/older crowd is leaving sports because of the wokeness. The young people don’t watch because it doesn’t interest them....they are video game fans, they are interactive with their viewing.
Televised sports are over, dead, they just don’t know it yet.