For the last several months, discussions surrounding the NBA media rights negotiations took center stage in the sports media industry, heightened by dismay towards a potential end of Inside the NBA from TNT Sports. The award-winning studio program has been on the air since 1989, resonating with fans through its insights, levity and chemistry. Charles Barkley, who has been with the show since 2000, signed a 10-year extension with Warner Bros. Discovery two years ago along with his colleagues Kenny “The Jet” Smith, Shaquille O’Neal and Ernie Johnson. Barkley divulged that he has an opt-out clause in the contract should the company lose NBA broadcasting rights, something that has now become a reality.
Near the end of last season, Barkley conveyed that he was going to retire after next year no matter what happened. Furthermore, he stated that he was done discussing NBA media rights after appearing on various radio shows and podcasts giving candid thoughts on the situation. With reports of Warner Bros. Discovery preparing to sue the NBA after the league declined its exercise of matching rights, Barkley articulated his thoughts on the resolution.
“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.”
Amazon is reportedly paying $1.8 billion a year for rights to broadcast NBA games, which includes six conference finals, the Emirates NBA Cup and Play-In games, along with other marquee events and programming stipulations. The Walt Disney Company and Warner Bros. Discovery reportedly agreed to allow Amazon into the 90-day exclusive negotiating window for incumbent rightsholders, after which a deal is said to have been quickly reached with the company. Upon the rejection of its matching rights, TNT Sports released a statement in which it described the NBA’s decision as a gross misinterpretation of its contractual rights and disclosed that it would take appropriate action.
“I just want to thank everyone who has been at Turner for the last 24 years,” Barkley added in a statement. “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.”
