After the NBA decided not to renew with TNT after the 2024–25 season, Charles Barkley spoke out about what he thinks transpired. The former league MVP pursued a career in media right after his playing days, and he feels the TNT-NBA breakup has something more to it.
In a social media post by Bleacher Report, Barklee indicates that TNT never stood a chance against Amazon in their bidding war to get NBA rights.
“Clearly, the NBA has wanted tho break up 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,” posts Barkley.
The 11-time NBA All-Star also made a strong swipe at NBA commissioner Adam Silver and executives who prioritize profit over the interests of basketball fans.
“It’s a sad day when owners and commissioners choose money over the fans. It just sucks,” Barkley adds.
Charles Barkley sends his gratitude to TNT, fans
Charles Barkley has jumped to be part of the media since calling it a basketball career in 2000 after a career-ending injury with the Houston Rockets. Now, at 61 years old, the former NBA rebounding leader is just grateful for the time he had with TNT following his statement about the network’s breakup with the premier basketball league in the world.
I just want to thank everyone who has been at Turner for 24 years. They are the best people 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,” ends Barkley.
Inside the NBA has existed since 1989, with Ernie Johnson becoming the show’s staple host in its second season. Kenny Smith joined Johnson in 1998 as a full-time analyst, followed by Barkley two years later. In 2011, Shaquille O’Neal joined the crew after his last season with the Boston Celtics, also popularizing the segment ‘Shaqtin’ a Fool’.
In the 2021–22 season, ‘Inside the NBA’ started TNT Tuesday games and had added ‘NBA on TNT’ Tuesdays hosted by Adam Lefkoe along with analysts, Shaquille O’Neal, Candace Parker and Dwyane Wade. The following season, Jamal Crawford replaced Wade.
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