The state of the NBA’s tv rights has been a scorching matter partly as a result of recognition of the longtime working studio “Contained in the NBA,” which options Ernie Johnson and former NBA greats Charles Barkley, Shaquille O’Neal and Kenny Smith.
As contracts await remaining approval from the NBA’s board of governors, NBCUniversal and Amazon have reportedly been engaged in discussions with the league. Each media firms possible detailed what the NBA product would appear like on their respective platforms.
Barkley, a Naismith Basketball Corridor of Famer and outspoken tv analyst, took situation with the potential construction of the NBA’s upcoming media rights deal. He was not notably keen on the concept that followers could possibly be pressured to stream common season video games and different marquee matchups within the close to future.
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Charles Barkley talks with media previous to Sport 4 of the 2024 NBA Finals between the Dallas Mavericks and the Boston Celtics at American Airways Heart on June 14, 2024 in Dallas, Texas. (Stacy Revere/Getty Photographs)
Barkley visited the Edgewood Tahoe Resort in Lake Tahoe, California earlier this week. The resort is the location of this yr’s American Century Movie star golf event.
Whereas he was on the golf course, the 61-year-old broadcaster took just a few moments to speak concerning the firm he works for, Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD), probably being left on the surface trying in when the mud settles. WBD is TNT’s mum or dad firm.
CHARLES BARKLEY UNLOADS ON TNT BRASS AS NETWORK ON VERGE OF LOSING NBA RIGHTS
Barkley has been a cornerstone of TNT’s NBA protection for almost 1 / 4 of a century, however he not too long ago introduced that the upcoming 2024-25 season can be his final one working as an analyst.
A basketball is positioned on the court docket subsequent to an NBA brand throughout a break within the first half of a recreation in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Ethan Miller/Getty Photographs)
Barkley has been a vocal critic of the shift in sports activities to lean into streaming as a result of potential monetary advantages. However Barkley argued that the transfer to streaming would additionally depart NBA followers at an obstacle.
“Properly, I believe that you just bought grasping gamers and grasping homeowners,” Barkley instructed CNBC.
“They don’t actually care about something however take advantage of cash attainable. We should always by no means put cash above the common fan. Everyone can’t afford streaming. There’s nothing flawed with streaming, however whenever you begin simply going to the very best bidder and also you’re not on common tv, I believe you do a disservice to the fan.”
TNT basketball analyst Charles Barkley on air earlier than the NCAA Mens Basketball Match Ultimate 4 semifinal recreation between the Purdue Boilermakers and the North Carolina State Wolfpack at State Farm Stadium on April 6, 2024, in Glendale, Arizona. (Mitchell Layton/Getty Photographs)
Regardless of being one of many league’s broadcast companions for the previous few a long time, TNT could be on the verge of shedding its broadcasting rights deal to opponents. A possible new media deal may embrace Disney/ESPN, NBC and Amazon, which may depart WBD on the surface trying in.
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Earlier this week, The Associated Press reported that the NBA had agreed to phrases on its new media offers. The 11-year agreements are value an estimated $76 billion, the AP famous, citing sources.
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