Charles Barkley on possible NBC takeover: 'Am I concerned? 100%' / News - Basketnews.com

Charles Barkley voices concern over the uncertain future of "Inside the NBA" as NBC's $2.5 billion bid threatens TNT's long-standing NBA broadcasting rights. Chuck says there's no way NBC can keep the famous crew together.

Credit: AFP – Scanpix Credit AFP – Scanpix

Charles Barkley thinks there's an equal chance that Warner Bros., TNT's parent company, will retain its NBA rights, keeping "Inside the NBA" on TNT. Despite this, the show's crew is feeling stressed about what lies ahead.

Charles Barkley

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Insights from The Ringer's Bill Simmons suggest that NBC is ready to take over NBA broadcasting duties from TNT once the new media rights agreement is finalized. With TNT's deal set to expire after the next season, NBC is reportedly prepared to make a hefty $2.5 billion offer, potentially surpassing TNT.

This potential shift could mark the end of an era for the renowned "Inside the NBA" crew -- Shaquille O'Neal, Kenny Smith, Ernie Johnson, and Barkley -- as they may no longer grace TV screens starting from the 2025-26 season.

"I wish I had any damn idea [where we're going]," Barkley said in an interview on ESPN Chicago. "We're in the bidding war with NBC. They've already signed their package with ESPN, they've already signed their package with Amazon, and it's down to one piece of the puzzle between us [TNT] and NBC. The last [bid] we've heard was around 2.5 billion, and we have zero idea what's going to happen.

"We might lose it," he added. "I feel so bad for the people I work with. It's brutal, it's flat-out brutal, everybody's scared to death. ... I think this is the first time it actually came for actual bidding. This is the first time doing an exclusive window. We did not re-sign in advance. It's very stressful."

Credit AFP-Scanpix

Barkley expressed worry about TNT losing its rights.

"It's 50-50 that we lose our part to NBC," Barkley highlighted. "Am I concerned? 100%, because as much as we have been partners with the NBA for, I think, 40 years, you would think if it was close in a bidding war, we would get the benefit of the doubt, but clearly, that's not happening. They're scared to death over here right now."

Asked whether keeping the same group together if a takeover occurs is likely, Barkley said it's nearly impossible.

"I don't think there's a way they can keep us together, to be honest," Chuck said. "We wouldn't have anything to talk about. Ernie does golf and things like that, so me, Shaq, and Kenny would be in a really awkward situation. ... All three of us are financially set, we ain't worried about the job, to be honest with you. I feel bad for the people I work with."

Barkley would become a free agent if TNT loses the NBA. Meanwhile, Johnson, the stalwart lead host of TNT's NBA coverage for 35 years, reportedly intends to stick with the network. Uncertainties linger regarding the contract statuses of Smith and O'Neal.

TNT lose NBA media rights to NBC, report states What's next with Inside the NBA after the potential NBC takeover?

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