Although TNT will relinquish the NBA’s media rights after the 2024–2025 season, Charles Barkley is set to remain with the network. With the ambiguity surrounding the future of the crew and staff, this year signifies the conclusion of “Inside The NBA,” as we have recognized it for two decades. Barkley expressed his discontent with TNT in a recent discussion with Bill Simmons for their lack of transparency about their future plans.
Barkley became part of TNT in 2000, and in 2022, he secured a 10-year contract extension considered one of the most significant talent deals in television history. Instead of leaving the network, he will fulfill his obligations under this agreement until 2032. He recently revealed that he sacrificed a wealth exceeding $100 million to ensure the continuity of the Inside The NBA team.
Barkley remarked, “I have no clue what we’re going to do. What adds to the humor — they have no idea either. I’m in this meeting in Philly, [they’re] like, we want to keep doing the show. I’m like, ‘What do you mean?’ ‘We’d like to keep you all together. Well, I’d consider that because I’d like all my friends to keep their jobs. I asked, ‘What are we going to do?’ They responded, ‘We haven’t determined that yet,’ and I’m like, ‘What?’”
TNT Previously Indicated Intent to Continue The Show With Charles Barkley & Co.
There have been indications that the show may evolve into a general sports program encompassing events from various sports around the world or operate on a highlight-sharing agreement where TNT will need to compensate the NBA or one of its three media associates.
The networks have already announced that Ernie Johnson and Barkley will still be involved; however, the fate of Kenny Smith and Shaquille O’Neal remains uncertain. If Barkley had chosen to exit his TNT contract at the conclusion of the 2024–25 season, there were reports of NBC and Amazon, two new media partners, being interested in hiring him as the biggest free agent in sports media. Nevertheless, Barkley decided to stay.
Barkley and Johnson are expected to feature on a sports show that will likely retain the same personalities as Inside The NBA. It will be intriguing to observe what this program accomplishes in its next stage after over 35 years on the air, whether or not Shaq and Kenny will remain part of it.
Image Source: Charles Barkley @ Instagram
