Charles Barkley calls TNT leaders 'clowns,' suggests his production company could take over 'Inside

Charles Barkley is visibly distressed and infuriated by the prospect of TNT losing its rights to broadcast NBA games, which would spell the end of his beloved "Inside the NBA" show on the network. The news came to light when reports surfaced on Tuesday indicating that the NBA is close to finalizing new media rights deals with Disney/ESPN, NBC, and Amazon, potentially leaving TNT out in the cold after over two decades of coverage. While Warner Bros. Discovery, TNT's parent company, has the option to match NBC's offer, it appears unlikely to do so.

Appearing on "The Dan Patrick Show," Barkley didn't hold back his frustration with the current state of affairs at TNT. He described the morale at the network as "sucks, plain and simple," expressing deep sympathy for his colleagues who face an uncertain future. Barkley was particularly upset that Warner Bros. Discovery opted to invest in College Football Playoff rights instead of retaining the NBA, a decision he views as a betrayal of the network's longstanding commitment to basketball.

“Morale sucks, plain and simple. I just feel so bad for the people I work with, Dan. These people have families and I just really feel bad for them right now. These people I work with, they screwed this thing up, clearly, and we don’t have zero idea what’s gonna happen. I don’t feel good. I’m not gonna lie, especially when they came out yesterday and said we bought college football. I was like, well, damn, they could have used that money to buy the NBA,” Barkley lamented.

"Inside the NBA" has been a staple of sports television, renowned for its blend of sharp analysis and humor, thanks to the dynamic chemistry between Barkley, Ernie Johnson, Kenny Smith, and Shaquille O'Neal. Barkley's contract includes a clause that allows him to become a free agent if TNT loses its NBA rights, and he floated the idea of taking control of the show through his own production company. He suggested that he could sign his co-hosts to his production company and then sell the show independently.

“I’ve talked to the guys about everybody signing with my production company, because I have my own production company, and I would love to do that if we lose it. Actually, somebody suggested that to me, to be honest with you, on the internet. Why don’t Charles Barkley sign these three guys, four guys total, it’s his production company, and sell it? I’m like, that’s a great idea. But like I said, we’re just sitting back, waiting on these people to figure out what they’re going to do," Barkley explained.

However, there are complications to this plan. It has been reported that Ernie Johnson, a cornerstone of the show, intends to remain at TNT even if the network loses the NBA. This could pose a significant hurdle for Barkley's proposed venture.

Adding to the tension, Barkley speculated that Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav might have soured relations with NBA Commissioner Adam Silver by remarking in 2022, "We don't have to have the NBA." Barkley sees this as a potentially damaging statement, especially with crucial media rights negotiations underway and WBD's efforts to cut costs.

Barkley's deepest concern, however, is for the dedicated team behind "Inside the NBA," many of whom he considers family. He recounted how he has watched these colleagues' children grow up over the years, highlighting the show's familial atmosphere.

“I am [angry]. You know, Dan, it’s so interesting, I’ve been spending a lot of time with the crew lately. I’ve actually been with these guys where I’ve spent time with their — they bring their newborns in, they bring their kids in, they come in like when they were in high school and now they’ve graduated from college. That’s how long. Ernie’s been there 32 years, Kenny’s been there 27, I’ve been there 24, but think about that. Some of these people I work with, they brought their newborns in to say hello to us, they brought them in in high school when they graduated, and now they’ve already graduated from college.

“So, yeah, I’m angry at people — they’re part of my family, to be honest with you. And I feel bad for those guys.”

In summary, Barkley's vehement critique underscores the deep-seated dissatisfaction and uncertainty at TNT as the network stands on the brink of losing a significant part of its identity. His remarks shed light on the broader implications of corporate decisions on long-established and beloved television programs.

[OperationChicago]

Tha NBA sucks now and it's' not like tha 1990's so we mine as well see what college people are up to.