Barkley Criticizes NBA's Media Deal Decision

Charles Barkley, host of TNT's "Inside the NBA," expressed strong disapproval on Friday regarding the NBA's decision to reject a matching offer from Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) for broadcasting rights over the next decade. Barkley accused the league of prioritizing financial gain over fan interests, stating, “It just sucks.” His comments come after a period of relative silence following his earlier criticism of WBD executives for mishandling the situation. In an interview with The Athletic, Barkley revealed he is open to offers from other networks, including NBC, ESPN, and Prime Video, unless WBD can assure him that his lucrative 10-year, $210 million contract will be honored. He questioned why he should face a pay cut due to the missteps of WBD executives. While he noted that co-host Ernie Johnson is unlikely to switch networks, he has not discussed future plans with fellow hosts Shaquille O’Neal and Kenny Smith. Barkley also commented on the future of sports media rights, predicting a shift towards streaming platforms in the coming years. He described the NBA's actions as a “cash grab,” suggesting that the financial landscape for broadcasting rights will become unsustainable. Meanwhile, WBD has criticized the NBA's rejection of its offer, claiming the league has misinterpreted its contractual rights and hinting at potential legal action to enforce its position. The NBA recently announced an 11-year media deal with Amazon, alongside agreements with NBCUniversal and Disney, totaling $77 billion, raising concerns about the future of TNT's nearly four-decade partnership with the league.