Charles Barkley Criticizes NBA for Opting for Amazon Over TNT: “It Just Sucks”
“Inside the NBA” host Charles Barkley has voiced strong disapproval of the NBA’s decision to reject a matching offer from TNT’s parent company, Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD), in favor of a $1.8 billion per year deal with Amazon. Barkley accused the NBA of prioritizing profit over fans, lamenting the end of TNT’s decades-long relationship with the league.
In an Instagram post, Barkley expressed his frustration: “Clearly the NBA has wanted to break with us from the beginning. 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.”
This statement followed the NBA’s announcement that it would move forward with Amazon’s bid to broadcast games starting in the 2025-26 season, despite WBD’s offer to match the financial terms. WBD, the parent company of TNT and CNN, has insisted it has the right to match any broadcast offer and plans to take legal action against the NBA.
Barkley, who co-hosts TNT’s iconic “Inside the NBA” with Ernie Johnson, Kenny Smith, and Shaquille O’Neal, has previously criticized WBD executives for their handling of the negotiations. On Friday, he told The Athletic that he would consider offers from NBC, ESPN, and Prime Video unless WBD guarantees his 10-year, $210 million contract.
“My thing was, ‘Wait, y’all messed up, I didn’t mess up, why do I have to take a pay cut,'” Barkley said. While he believes Johnson will stay with TNT, Barkley has not yet discussed potential moves with O’Neal or Smith.
Barkley also commented on the future of sports media rights, predicting a shift towards streaming: “It’s going to all go to streaming in 11 years. They’re kind of getting their cake and eating it, too. They got ESPN and NBC and they got streaming.”
In response to the NBA’s decision, WBD issued a statement criticizing the league’s interpretation of their contractual rights and vowed to take “appropriate action.” On Friday, WBD filed a lawsuit against the NBA for rejecting its matching offer, potentially ending their 40-year partnership.
The NBA’s new media deal with Amazon, along with agreements with NBCUniversal and Disney, is valued at $77 billion over 11 years. NBA Commissioner Adam Silver stated that these deals would enhance the reach and accessibility of NBA games: “Our new global media agreements with Disney, NBCUniversal and Amazon will maximize the reach and accessibility of NBA games for fans in the United States and around the world.”
The decision has sparked significant backlash from fans and raised concerns about the future of TNT’s “Inside the NBA” program, a staple of basketball coverage for nearly four decades.
