The Miami Heat have just provided a masterclass in looking out for ya boys after offering coach Erik Spoelstra a historic eight-year contract extension worth over US$120 million (AU$178.7 million).
Not only is this the richest in NBA history, it represents the most amount of money ever committed to any North American coach of any sport. But the total figure isn’t the most noteworthy detail of this entire development — it’s the timing.
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While nothing about this specific aspect of the matter has been explicitly confirmed by either the Heat’s front office or Coach Spo himself, as many have noted, this contract extension could have been made official at any time. Instead, it was conveniently inked after the latter’s divorce from ex-wife Nikki Spoelstra was finalised.
Pat Riley knows the go. #HeatCulture is king. City boys up.
Unfortunately, because a punchline can’t simply exist without elaboration on the internet, droves of netizens decided to troll Spoelstra’s former spouse of seven years about “fumbling the bag” via social media, who decided to respond with the following Instagram story (via Sports Illustrated):
I’m going to address this comment NOT as it pertains to my personal life choices but as it relates to a general thought process that I believe a lot of people have. And that a lot of people have harassed me with over the years. According to crass, ignorant, uninformed society at large, women can’t ‘win.’ And no, I won’t ignore it. IgNoRiNg iT (harassment) for years messed with my emotional health and people need to have a better understanding of how their words can affect other people. Not just me. But people. In general. Be nicer.
The Miami Heat are certainly getting their money’s worth with the contract extension they’ve served up to Erik Spoelstra.
Having worked his way up the ranks from the humble position of video coordinator back in 1995 to a two-time NBA champion (2012, 2013) who’s reached the NBA Finals six times to date, these days, Coach Spo is one of the most respected and successful coaches in professional basketball.
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Despite drawing the short straws with injuries among his key players this season, Spoelstra has led the Heat to a winning 21-15 record that currently ranks them at fifth in the Eastern Conference, sandwiched between the New York Knicks and the Indiana Pacers.
While the deal in total represents the richest in NBA history, in terms of annual earnings, Erik Spoelstra is still second to the legendary Gregg Popovich, whose US$80 million (AU$120 million) contract with the San Antonio Spurs pays him US$19 million (AU$29.3 million) per season against his Miami rival’s US$15 million (AU$22.3 million) per season.
