of The NBA rejected the bid. Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) on Wednesday exercised its right to match Amazon’s offer for its portion of the league’s 11-year, $76 billion media rights deal.
Less than 48 hours after the announcement, TNT’s parent company, WBD, filed a private lawsuit in New York County Supreme Court.
Charles Barkley The Hall of Fame player and longtime co-host of TNT’s popular show “Inside the NBA” was reacting to the company’s failed attempt to renew its media rights.
“It’s been clear from the beginning that the NBA wanted to part ways with us. I don’t know if there was an opportunity at TNT,” Barkley said in a statement. In June, Barkley announced his intention to retire after the 2024-25 season. On Friday, he suggested he was open to other opportunities.
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Charles Barkley speaks onstage in New York City on February 12, 2015. (Stephen Lovekin/Getty Images for American Express)
“I’ve spoken to all three networks. … I’ve spoken to all three networks,” Barkley said Friday during an appearance on “The Dan Patrick Show.”
When Patrick asked if Barkley would follow through with his retirement plans as he fields calls from other media companies, the NBA legend said he’s “going to listen” to what the media outlets have to say.
‘Inside the NBA’ host Charles Barkley suggests parting ways with league was inevitable: ‘I don’t know if TNT had a chance’
“First of all, it would be stupid to not take their calls, but the good thing about this situation is … I don’t have to make any decisions for a year, Dan,” Berkley said. “But I told all three networks, ‘I’m honored. I’m honored that you guys want to talk to me, but let’s see what happens in a year.'”
In May, the Sports Business Journal reported that Barkley’s contract included a clause that would allow him to move to another network once his NBA contract with the network ends.
TNT’s Shaquille O’Neal, Ernie Johnson, Kenny Smith and Charles Barkley will be in conversation on Feb. 17, 2024 at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. (Brandon Todd/NBAE via Getty Images)
Barkley confirmed the terms of his lucrative contract with TNT, revealing that the deal is structured to allow him to become a free agent after the 2024-25 NBA season.
“My contract is for 10 years, $210 million. Next year is the third year,” Barkley told Patrick. “Turner has to come to me today or next week and say, ‘Hey, we screwed up. Can you give me some compensation?’ So they’re either going to guarantee me the full 10 years, $210 million, or they’re going to ask me for a pay cut. But I’m not going to take a pay cut under any circumstances. There’s zero chance I’m going to take a pay cut.”
While he expects to be in high demand as a media personality next year, he also reiterated his intention to end his broadcasting career.
“But to be honest with you, I don’t think they’re going to give me any guarantees because they don’t have any. So I think I’ll be a free agent next summer. For now, I’m planning on retiring.”
A basketball sits on the court next to the NBA logo during a break in the first half of a game in Las Vegas. (Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
Under the terms of the new media rights deal, Disney will maintain broadcast rights on its ABC and ESPN platforms, while NBA games will return to NBC and games will be introduced on its Peacock streaming service. Amazon Prime Video will also get a package of games scheduled to begin after the 2024-25 season.
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However, WBD’s lawsuit suggests that the battle over NBA broadcasting rights may eventually end up in court. WBD released a statement explaining its decision to sue.
“Following the NBA’s unjustified rejection of our proposal, which matched a third-party offer, we have taken legal action to enforce our rights,” WBD said in a statement. “Not only is this our contractual right, but we strongly believe it is in the best interest of fans who want to continue watching industry-leading NBA content with the choice and flexibility offered through WBD’s widely-used video-first distribution platforms, including TNT and Max.”
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