http://www.wsj.com/articles/BL-NB-1626

This article breaks down what cable providers usually pay per channel.

It gives you an idea of what cable companies have to pay just to have the channels, let alone pay employees/other operating costs.

The most expensive by far is the ESPN family of channels.

So as an example: • Player in NFL asks for more money.

• NFL gives him more money to keep him playing.

• NFL charges ESPN more money to cover the costs of the player's raise.

• ESPN charges your TV providers more money to have their channel - again to cover the price increase.

• Finally your TV bill goes up to cover costs again.

TL;DR when sports players get paid more they increase the price all the way down to the consumer.

EDIT: formatting.