Charles Barkley has never been one to hold back when he feels something needs to be said.
The Basketball Hall of Famer underscored this on Friday, vehemently criticizing the NBA for failing to reach an agreement with TNT over a television rights package.
Earlier this week, TNT announced that it had matched the financial package Amazon offered for NBA broadcast rights beginning in the 2025-26 season. However, the NBA rejected TNT’s proposal, opting instead to strike a deal with multiple new broadcast partners.
Barkley was visibly furious about the decision.
“Clearly the NBA has wanted to break up with us from the beginning,” Barkley said in a statement. “I’m not sure TNT ever had a chance. TNT matched the money, but the league knows Amazon and these tech companies are the only ones willing to pay for the rights when they double in the future. The NBA didn’t want to piss them off.
“It’s a sad day when owners and commissioners choose money over the fans. It just sucks.
“I just want to thank everyone who has been at Turner for the last 24 years. They are the best people and the most talented and they deserve better. I also want to thank the NBA and its fans – the best fans in sports. We’re going to give you everything we have next season.”
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The NBA’s departure from TNT signifies the end of the iconic “Inside the NBA” studio show.
Host Ernie Johnson has already expressed his reluctance to leave the Atlanta area for a new show, and Barkley has hinted at retiring from full-time television after the next season.
“The main reason I was talking about next year being my last year – I wouldn’t feel comfortable going to work for another network,” Barkley, 61, said previously. “It’ll be 25 years that I’ve been working with Turner, and I love everybody at Turner, but at this age to go and start over, I don’t know if I want to do that.”
This marks the end of an era for the league, the network, and the beloved studio show. NBA fans, who have cherished the chemistry and insight of the “Inside the NBA” team, are the real losers in this process.
Barkley’s candid remarks highlight the tension between preserving fan-favorite programming and the league’s pursuit of lucrative broadcasting deals with tech giants.
The departure of TNT from the NBA’s broadcasting lineup will undoubtedly leave a void for viewers who have grown accustomed to the entertaining and insightful analysis provided by Barkley, Johnson, and the rest of the “Inside the NBA” crew.
