Despite the fact that Warner Bros. Discovery, the guardian firm of TNT Sports activities, have misplaced the rights to transmit the NBA following this 2024-25 marketing campaign, Charles Barkley has determined to remain put and stay loyal by way of the rest of his contract. The Suns icon began by saying this Tuesday that he is not going to retire after subsequent season.
This got here as a shock, because the Corridor of Famer had talked about again in June that he wished to retire quickly. Chuck famous that the upcoming NBA 12 months could be his final within the broadcasting sales space, particularly after what finally occurred with the media deal negotiations.
The factor is, he had signed a 10-year contract extension with TNT Sports activities simply two years in the past, however felt at nighttime all all year long as negotiations with the NBA appeared grim. After dropping the media rights, Warner Bros. Discovery has determined to sue the league, as they consider they matched their opponent’s supply and have been nonetheless rejected.
NEWS: Charles Barkley and TNT Sports activities have introduced a continued long-term dedication!
“I like my TNT Sports activities household…That is the one place for me.” — Barkley
Extra: https://t.co/ipD6kpcYbH pic.twitter.com/ijqSzINql1
— TNT Sports activities U.S. PR (@TNTSportsUS) August 6, 2024
“I like my TNT Sports activities household. My No. 1 precedence has been and all the time will likely be our individuals and preserving everybody collectively for so long as doable,” Barkley shared not too long ago in a press release. “… I’m trying ahead to persevering with to work with them each on the exhibits we at present have and new ones we develop collectively sooner or later.
Chuck expressed why he feels such loyalty to his employers. “That is the one place for me. I’ve to say … I’ve been impressed by the management group who’s combating laborious and have been aggressive in including new properties to TNT Sports activities, which I’m very enthusiastic about. … I’m going to offer my all as we maintain [fans] entertained for years to come back,” he defined.
Now that ESPN/ABC, NBC and Amazon Prime Video earned the upcoming rights to transmit the league, they have been anticipated to court docket the basketball analyst for his or her new program, however evidently each Charles and host Enrie Johnson intend to stick with TNT. Even so, the way forward for Kenny Smith and Shaquille O’Neal nonetheless stay unsure.
“It’s going to all go to streaming in 11 years,” Barkley expressed about sports activities media rights, as a result of “in 11 years no one’s going to have the ability to afford these rights by streaming. They’re type of getting their cake and consuming it, too. They received ESPN and NBC and so they received streaming.”
Barkley has been an outspoken critic of the best way the NBA dealt with their negotiations with TNT, because it appeared the league by no means gave them an opportunity
Chuck assured that the NBA wasn’t prepared to modify networks, after which talked about how he hasn’t talked to his colleagues about their intentions pending outdoors presents. He believes now greater than ever that the long run is about to streams.
“TNT matched the cash, however the league is aware of Amazon and these tech firms are the one ones prepared to pay for the rights once they double sooner or later,” mentioned the previous participant. “The NBA didn’t need to piss them off. It’s a tragic day when homeowners and commissioners select cash over the followers. It simply sucks. My factor was, ‘Wait, y’all f— up, I didn’t f— up, why do I’ve to take a pay lower.’”
Moreover the NBA, TNT Sports activities additionally carries the NHL and NCAA males’s basketball match with CBS. The corporate not too long ago invested in including the School Soccer Playoff, Large East basketball, NASCAR and the French Open.
“Charles is among the finest and most beloved sportscasters within the historical past of tv,” shared Luis Silberwasser, TNT Sports activities chairman and CEO. “I do know I converse for all of the members of the TNT Sports activities household after I say we’re extremely thrilled to share this mutual dedication to proceed showcasing Charles’ one-of-a-kind skills and entertain followers effectively into the long run.”
