Charles Barkley open to joining ESPN, NBC and Amazon if TNT doesn't honor deal
Even though TNT is set to lose its NBA media rights after next season, there is a chance Charles Barkley could still be talking ball on TV.
The Basketball Hall of Famer and iconic "Inside the NBA" voice told The Athletic on Friday he will either remain with TNT Sports or listen to offers from ESPN, NBC and Amazon Prime Video for when the new media rights deal kicks in for the 2025-26 season. Barkley is in the third year of a 10-year, $210 million contract with TNT Sports.
“Turner has to come to me ASAP and they have to guarantee my whole thing or they can offer me a pay cut, which there is no chance of that happening and I’ll be (a) free agent," he told the outlet. "My thing was, ‘Wait, y’all (expletive) up, I didn’t (expletive) up, why do I have to take a pay cut?"
Barkley's comments are a change of direction from what he said when reports began to surface about TNT losing its NBA media rights. During the 2024 NBA Finals, he said regardless of how the media rights deal played out, the 2024-25 season would be his last on-air.
"No matter what happens, next year is going to be my last year on television," he said. "And I just want to say thank you to my NBA family. You guys have been great to me. My heart is full with joy and gratitude."
Barkley told The Athletic the possibility of retiring from TV remains a possibility, but he is keeping his ears open on any offers he gets. He mentioned ESPN, NBC and Amazon have all been in contact with him, and he would prefer to have the rest of his "Inside the NBA" crew − Ernie Johnson, Shaquille O’Neal and Kenny Smith − still with him.
TNT Sports announced Friday it has taken legal action against the NBA for it being left out of the media rights deal. TNT Sports was given a chance to match Amazon's offer in the deal, which it did, but the network said the NBA "grossly misinterpreted our contractual rights" in the negotiation process. Barkley had a similar sentiment on social media, calling out the league.
"Clearly, the NBA has wanted to break up with us from the beginning," Barkley wrote. "I'm not sure TNT ever had a chance. TNT matched the money. 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," he added.
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