Charles Barkley Expresses Anger Over TNT and ESPN Transition

Charles Barkley is visibly upset after learning from ESPN that he, and the show he is part of, has lost NBA broadcasting rights.

On Monday’s “Pardon My Take” podcast, Barkley criticized TNT, stating, “Our bosses thought they handled it well, but they really did a terrible job of keeping us informed.” He recalled moments playing golf during the playoffs, anxiously checking online for news and maybe even wondering about job security.

ESPN has officially secured the rights to “Inside the NBA” as part of a new media agreement, but Barkley mentioned that those involved with the show haven’t been fully informed yet about the transition.

Barkley continued his remarks, saying that TNT doesn’t approach them in a professional manner, implying, “It’s like they didn’t even consider we’d be losing the NBA coverage.” He expressed frustration over the way they were treated and suggested they could have communicated better.

He pointed out that he, along with his colleagues, first heard about the rights change through messages from ESPN employees like Scott Van Pelt and Brian Windhorst, which caught them completely off guard.

“I’m wondering, what kind of family are we talking about here?” Barkley quipped. Shortly afterward, he received a call from TNT saying the news had broken. He remarked, “Well, you could have at least given us a heads-up.”

Barkley emphasized that they were blindsided by the announcement, saying, “We had to find out from the internet. That’s not the right way to do business.”

The Emmy-winning “Inside the NBA” has been a staple on TNT since 1989. Barkley, O’Neal, Kenny Smith, and Ernie Johnson shared the screen together for 14 memorable years, with Barkley joining the show in 2000 after his illustrious playing career.

Despite the change, fans can rest assured that the chemistry and humor the group is known for will remain intact. The show will still be produced by TNT Sports at their Atlanta Studios, even though it will now air on ESPN.