The future of Inside the NBA is getting bleaker. Uncertainties exist since TNT and the NBA have not yet reached an agreement for TNT to retain ownership of its rights beyond the upcoming season. The loss of the fan-favorite show has disappointed a number of pundits and NBA fans. Charles Barkley recently took an assertive stance over the issue, criticizing TNT for their lack of openness.
In a recent interview with Sports Illustrated, the sixty-one-year-old stated,
“They have done a really sh***y job of keeping us abreast. Just say, ‘Hey guys, we’re in the middle of negotiations, It’s 50-50’. Just say something…The people who work there…they are the ones in pins and needles…Just say something to let the people be able to breathe a little bit”.
Employees at TNT have found the company’s lack of assurance over the future to be annoying and problematic. The “behind the camera” employees may have become anxious as a result, which could have hampered the workplace culture.
Given these potential consequences, Barkley’s recent criticism appeared mostly warranted.
However, it also seems unjust to place all the blame on TNT, which is owned by Warner Bros. Discovery. In the past few years, there has been a sharp increase in demand for NBA rights. Consequently, according to Fortune, the league is in talks with streaming services like Amazon Prime, Disney, and Netflix to broadcast a collection of its games.
NBCUniversal, a division of Comcast, is currently TNT’s main rival. WBD presently pays the NBA $1.2 billion for the privilege to possess its rights, while rivals are allegedly willing to spend an astounding $2.5 billion. The future of TNT and the crew is in jeopardy because of this major obstacle on their path.
