Last year, the NBA signed an 11-year media deal worth a massive $76 billion. This deal just changed the game as we know it, both in terms of length and value. From the 2025-26 season onwards, ESPN, NBC, ABC, and Amazon Prime will be airing all the league’s games. However, this deal is set to impact not just the people involved on the court but also people who are off the court.

How? Well, for starters, this deal has already started making waves in the broadcasting world. This comes after NBC and Amazon looking to bolster their media ranks for next season. The top names on their radars are ESPN’s Malika Andrews and Brian Windhorst. Both of whom are set to hit free agency soon.

Amid this massive uncertainty over her future, Malika Andrews shared a candid moment with another well-known ESPN journalist, Stephen A. Smith. The ‘NBA Today’ and ‘NBA Countdown’ host was pictured wearing a stunning pink suit alongside Smith, who also dawned a pink coat with a pink shirt underneath to go with his outfit.

Andrews took to Instagram to share this unplanned moment. Both are seen smiling in the picture as she wrote “We didn’t plan this” and added, “Matchy/Matchy” suggesting them matching the outfit was just a wholesome coincidence. It’s great to see Malika Andrews having a great time with her colleagues, as she has to wait and watch what the future holds for her once her contract with the TV giant expires this fall.

What is next on the cards for Malika Andrews with her ESPN contract expiring soon?

Free agency is looming upon ESPN’s top NBA talent, Malika Andrews. The 30-year-old journalist’s contract with ESPN expires this fall according to sources. While ESPN reportedly wants to keep Andrews’ services, the addition of Amazon Prime Video and NBC Sports from next season could make things tough for ESPN. The 30-year-old has been with the TV giant since 2018 and quickly made a name for herself hosting both the ‘NBA TODAY‘ and ‘NBA Countdown‘.

Her talent is the reason why Amazon and NBC are looking to acquire her for their platforms. Both the new networks have been busy hiring talent all over to help with their coverage from the 2025-26 season. Amazon has already hit a slam dunk by acquiring Taylor Rooks to host its studio coverage from LA. On the other hand, NBC is also working hard to acquire talent. Meanwhile, in a unique arrangement, TNT is set to produce ‘Inside the NBA‘ with the star-studded cast of Shaquille O’Neal, Kenny Smith, Charles Barkley, and Ernie Johnson, but the show will appear on ESPN.

As a result of this, Andrews’ show ‘NBA Countdown‘ will shift to secondary ranks. There’s also some chatter that Andrews might return to the sidelines as a reporter for selective occasions while the TNT cast has the studio covered. This could give Malika Andrews a reason to weigh her options with some new players in the market. Well, for now, there’s no further development in this race. But, it’s something to keep an eye on as the season progresses.