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Charles Barkley Calls Out NBA Over New Media Rights Deal

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Much has been made about the new media rights deal in the NBA that likely will be the end of TNT broadcasting games. Despite the immense popularity of the show “Inside the NBA“, we could soon see the end of the programming. The NBA reportedly agreed on a new lucrative broadcast media rights deal that is set to tip off at the start of the 2025-26 season. This new agreement will see the association split games between ABC/ESPN, NBC, and Amazon.

TNT doesn’t appear to be within this new deal, likely spelling the end for the network covering the NBA. It’s a bit of a strange move considering how well the network has done with coverage over the years but the league is completely in the business of making money.

GLENDALE, ARIZONA – APRIL 06: TNT basketball analyst Charles Barkley on air before the NCAA Mens Basketball Tournament Final Four semifinal game between the Purdue Boilermakers and the North Carolina State Wolfpack at State Farm…
GLENDALE, ARIZONA – APRIL 06: TNT basketball analyst Charles Barkley on air before the NCAA Mens Basketball Tournament Final Four semifinal game between the Purdue Boilermakers and the North Carolina State Wolfpack at State Farm Stadium on April 06, 2024 in Glendale, Arizona. Barkley called out the NBA over the new media rights deal.

Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images

Longtime program host of “Inside the NBA“, Ernie Johnson will have to look elsewhere to continue. So will former NBA guard Kenny Smith, an analyst since 1998, Hall of Fame center Shaquille O’Neal, and Hall of Fame forward Charles Barkley. The chemistry between the four men on set has created one of the more entertaining and electric shows on television, culminating with the program winning 19 Sports Emmys during its run.

Barkley gave his thoughts on the matter, calling out the NBA for putting money over the fans.

“Well, I think that you got greedy players and greedy owners,” Barkley said today. “They don’t really care about anything but how to make the most money possible. We should never put money above the regular fan. Everybody can’t afford streaming. There’s nothing wrong with streaming, but when you start just going to the highest bidder and you’re not on regular television, I think you do a disservice to the fan. But in fairness, the players want to make as much money as possible. The owners want to make as much money as possible. But … the fan’s always the most important thing. No matter how much money you make, if the people are not watching, it’s a lose-lose proposition.”

This move is expected to be for 11 years and is worth $76 billion. It’s an extremely unique opportunity for the league and will net them a ton of more revenue over the next decade. However, the success of TNT will be missed if the deal goes through completely. Warner Bros. Discovery owns TNT and should be given a chance to match the deal. Barkley is hopeful that the company will do so.

“Well, I really feel bad for everybody at TNT, all the people I’ve been working with for the last 24 years, they’re like family to me,” Barkley told CNBC today at the American Century Celebrity golf tournament in Lake Tahoe. “I really hope we match. Honestly in my heart, I think we have lost the package. That’s my honest opinion. But I really hope we get a last-minute reprieve for the people at Turner.”

Turner likely won’t match the massive deal, signaling the end of the reality NBA fans have grown to know over the years. The way the league broadcasts games is changing and the regular fan will have to adjust or possibly be left behind. We should know soon what the future of NBA media rights looks like and where the games will be broadcast for the foreseeable future.

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