(Photo by Megan Briggs/Getty Images)
NBA broadcasts could look very different two years from now.
With TNT set to lose TV rights, next season could be the final run for “Inside the NBA.”
Nonetheless, given their popularity and longevity, it’s hard to envision Kenny Smith, Shaquille O’Neal, Ernie Johnson, and Charles Barkley not being around in the future.
With that in mind, it seems like ESPN, Amazon, and NBC are all keeping tabs on Barkley.
According to a report by Andrew Marchand of The Athletic, all three networks would be interested in making a run at the Hall of Famer, should he become a free agent (via NBACentral).
ESPN, Amazon and NBC are expected to show interest in Charles Barkley, per @AndrewMarchand
“I know ESPN, Amazon and NBC are interested in him, according to executives briefed on their plans. If TNT Sports loses the NBA, I’m not sure Barkley is just totally free to do whatever… pic.twitter.com/5GOANWAXv9
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) June 6, 2024
Marchand adds that he doesn’t know whether Barkley will ever be free to just do whatever he pleases, but he thinks that’s a feasible possibility if he continues to attack Warner Bros. Discovery chairman David Zaslav.
Barkley has been overly critical of Zaslav and his approach to the NBA, claiming he was making a big mistake by allowing all other networks to jump in and squeeze them out.
The legendary point guard had recently signed a contract extension with them.
He’s been quite vocal about not wanting to work at an old age, but he’s a crucial part of the network’s pre and post-game shows, so all networks would be wise to make him an offer he can’t refuse to keep him around for an extra couple of years at the very least.
The post 3 Media Networks Are Expected To Show Interest In Charles Barkley appeared first on The Cold Wire.