Charles Barkley Blasts NBA Over New TV Rights Deals, Says It’s a ‘Sad Day’

Charles Barkley is not happy about the NBA's decision to not renew its deal with TNT, which broadcasts Inside the NBA.

The former NBA star, who has served as an analyst for TNT since 2000, has criticized the league's deal with Disney, NBC Universal, and Amazon Prime Video. "Clearly the NBA has wanted to break up with us from the beginning," he wrote in a statement, as seen below per The Hollywood Reporter. "I'm not TNT ever had a chance. TNT matched the money, but the league knows Amazon and these tech companies at the only ones willing to pay for the rights when they double in the future. The NBA didn't want to piss them off."

On Thursday, July 25, the NBA announced it had signed an 11-year media rights deal with Disney, NBC, and Amazon Prime Video. The move will bring $76 billion to the league throughout the decade-plus deal. Warner Bros. Discovery, the owners of TNT, was given five days to match at least part of the deal and ultimately offered the league $1.8 billion per year. The NBA turned down the deal, which means the 2024-25 season will be the last televised by TNT.

"It's a sad day when owners and commissioners choose money over the fans. It just sucks," he continued. "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."

Prime Video will carry Friday night games, select Saturday afternoons, and Thursday night doubleheaders. They will also show at least one Black Friday game, the quarterfinals, semifinals, and championship game of the NBA Cup. NBC Universal will carry 100 NBA regular-season games and be the home of All-Star games. The Disney-owned ESPN and ABC, however, will continue to broadcast the NBA's leading package, which includes the NBA Finals. Combined, ESPN and ABC will broadcast almost 100 games of the regular season.

"The digital opportunities with Amazon align perfectly with the global interest in the NBA," said NBA Commissioner Adam Silver in a statement. "And Prime Video’s massive subscriber base will dramatically expand our ability to reach our fans in new and innovative ways." Warner Bros. Discovery said it will be taking "appropriate action" and believes the league should take the offer despite the NBA's assistance it wasn't a true match to the 11-year media rights deal with the three companies.

"We have matched the Amazon offer, as we have a contractual right to do, and do not believe the NBA can reject it," reads a statement from TNT Sports. "In doing so, they are rejecting the many fans who continue to show their unwavering support for our best-in-class coverage, delivered through the full combined reach of WBD’s video-first distribution platforms. ... We will take appropriate action."

Inside the NBA will continue for the 2024-25 season, after which Barkley revealed he will retire from TV. "I ain't going nowhere other than TNT," Barkley said last month, per ESPN. "But I have made the decision that, no matter what happens, next year is going to be my last year on television. 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."

The future of Inside the NBA, starting with the 2025-26 season, remains uncertain.