Charles Barkley Slams TNT Leaders, Eyes Future For 'Inside The NBA'

Photo: Instagram/Charles Barkley

Charles Barkley is not happy. The basketball legend is upset that TNT might lose its NBA broadcasting rights, which would end his beloved "Inside the NBA" show. New deals with Disney/ESPN, NBC, and Amazon mean TNT could be without NBA games for the first time in over 20 years. Warner Bros. Discovery, TNT’s parent company, can match NBC's offer but seems unlikely to do so.

Barkley vented his frustrations on "The Dan Patrick Show," criticizing TNT’s leaders for this situation. He expressed sympathy for his colleagues, saying morale is low and that many workers are worried about their futures. Barkley was especially upset that Warner Bros. Discovery spent money on College Football Playoff games instead of the NBA.

“Morale sucks, plain and simple. I just feel so bad for the people I work with. These people have families, and I just really feel bad for them right now,” Barkley said.

Photo: Instagram/Charles Barkley

"Inside the NBA," featuring Barkley, Ernie Johnson, Kenny Smith, and Shaquille O'Neal, is one of the most popular sports shows. Barkley has hinted that his contract allows him to leave if TNT loses NBA rights. He even suggested he could take over the show with his production company.

“I’ve talked to the guys about signing with my production company. I would love to do that if we lose it. It’s a great idea. But we’re just waiting on these people to figure out what they’re going to do,” he said.

However, Ernie Johnson might stay at TNT even if they lose the NBA rights, complicating Barkley's plans. Barkley also speculated that Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav may have upset NBA Commissioner Adam Silver by saying, "We don't have to have the NBA."

Barkley is most concerned for the long-time staff of "Inside the NBA," who have worked together for many years.

“I am angry. These people are part of my family. I feel bad for those guys,” Barkley added.

As the future of "Inside the NBA" hangs in the balance, Barkley's frustration reflects the uncertainty faced by everyone involved in the show.

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Source: Yahoo Sports 

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