Charles Barkley didn’t hold back Friday, releasing a statement in which he called out the NBA and commissioner Adam Silver over the league’s new media rights deal.
“Clearly the NBA has wanted to break up with us from the beginning,” Barkley said. “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.”
The NBA announced Wednesday the renewal of its partnership with The Walt Disney Company and new agreements with NBCUniversal (NBCU) and Amazon under which ABC/ESPN, NBC/Peacock and Prime Video will telecast NBA games beginning with the 2025-26 season and running through the 2035-36 season.
The new media deals will expand the reach of NBA telecasts, with all national games available on broadly distributed streaming services – Prime Video, Peacock and ESPN’s forthcoming direct-to-consumer service – and with dramatically increased exposure on broadcast television.
TNT released its own statement earlier this week.
“We have matched the Amazon offer, as we have a contractual right to do, and do not believe the NBA can reject it,” the statement read. “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 — including TNT, home to our four-decade partnership with the league, and Max, our leading streaming service.
“We think they have grossly misinterpreted our contractual rights with respect to the 2025-26 season and beyond, and we will take appropriate action. We look forward, however, to another great season of the NBA on TNT and Max including our iconic ‘Inside the NBA.’”
The NBA, however, countered to state “Warner Bros. Discovery’s most recent proposal did not match the terms of Amazon Prime Video’s offer.”
Meanwhile, Barkley, who said he would retire at the end of his TNT run, said “Inside the NBA” will put its best foot forward in its final season.
“I just want to thank everyone who has been at Turner for the last 24 years,” Barkley said. “They are the best people and the most talent 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.”
Mark Heim is a reporter for The Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @Mark_Heim. He can be heard on “The Opening Kickoff” on WNSP-FM 105.5 FM in Mobile or on the free Sound of Mobile App from 6 to 9 a.m. daily.
