How the NBA's TV Partners Have Cashed In On the Warriors' Historic Season

Kobe's farewell bumped to ESPN2 as Golden State goes for 73rd win

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It seemed like an easy call for ESPN.

Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant playing in the final game of his storied 20-year career in front of the only fan base he's ever called home. "That was a no-brainer to grab and put into our schedule right from the beginning," said Julie Sobieski, vp of programming for ESPN.

But the Golden State Warriors had other ideas. The darlings of the NBA decided to follow up their first title in 40 years by taking a run at the single-season record for most wins.

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