Once again, if MD decides to not renew someone's contract, that is their right. According to what I see, MD will pay Lee until the end of the contract, then he is free to persue other interests. Each year, competitors are brought into various magazines and others leave. Such is the world of business. It is the same with supplement contracts.
There are many competitors who are going through negotiations each year, with supplement companies, with magazines, and other related companies. So why get on MD's and Steve's case for completing their contract, and giving someone at least 30+ days notice on the non-renewal.
Lee has options, and he will exercise them when he is ready, and it looks like he already has with another magazine.