In the sports media field, the surprising news broke that TNT's famous pre- and post-game basketball show “Inside the NBA” will be moving to ESPN.
One of its stars was just as shocked as everyone else to find out.
Charles Barkley, who appears on “Inside the NBA” with Ernie Johnson, Shaquille O'Neal and Kenny “The Jets” Smith, recently announced that he will soon be joining Warner Bros. Discovery's Turner Sports. He said he had not heard anything about the move until he knew what would happen. The news came out.
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Charles Barkley signs autographs during the in-season tournament game between the New Orleans Pelicans and Los Angeles Lakers at T-Mobile Arena on December 7, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (NBA Photo/NBAE via Getty Images)
“I'll tell you what's fun,” Barkley said on “The Bettor Angle.” BetQL Network. “They didn't even tell us we lost to the NBA.
“We have to hear it through the media, and this is less than ABC/ESPN, but I found out about it on the internet. Scott Van Pelt, Brian Windhorst, Elle “Duncan, Bob Myers, all my whining friends that I really love,” they sent me a message welcoming me to the ESPN family. “What happened?” TNT didn't even have any courtesy. ”
Charles Barkley says he turned down 'at least $100 million' to stay at TNT
Barkley added that the “Inside the NBA” team felt like he was “traded,” but given his time playing in the NBA, it's common practice to let a person know before it becomes news. It's called politeness.
“If you're going to trade someone that you respect and appreciate, you'd at least be careful,” he said. “Don't let them hear about it from other people or the internet.”
Prior to this move, Barkley has been vocal about the rift between NBA media rights and Turner Sports on “Inside the NBA,” a show the famous quartet has been a part of since 2000, and the possibility of closure. There was also.
January 21, 2023. Phoenix, Arizona, USA. Former Phoenix Suns player Charles Barkley attended the Footprint Center. (Mark J. Revillas-USA TODAY Sports)
Back in August, after the NBA signed new media rights deals with ESPN, NBC and Amazon Prime, Barkley said he could have gone anywhere but wanted to stay with the team he's known for more than 20 years. He later walked back his statement that this season would be his last, saying he wanted to work with TNT leaders to develop new programming and more sports content.
TNT felt they could not make a fair match for the new contract, leading to a lawsuit, but the two sides ultimately settled on a multi-year deal that continued “within the NBA.”
ESPN later confirmed last week's report and announced that an agreement had been reached with TNT Sports under which the foursome would remain in place and TNT would continue to produce its own programming from its Atlanta studios, except when the show began airing. However, it is scheduled to be broadcast on ESPN and ABC starting in the 2025-26 season.
TNT basketball analyst Charles during a broadcast before the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament Final Four semifinal game between the Purdue Boilermakers and North Carolina Wolfpack at State Farm Stadium on April 6, 2024 in Glendale, Arizona. Mr. Berkeley. (Mitchell Leighton/Getty Images)
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ESPN's 11-year media rights extension with the NBA begins next season.
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