(Photo by Megan Briggs/Getty Images)
Charles Barkley has been one of the most beloved NBA commentators for years but that could be ending soon.
The league is putting together new broadcast contracts and inside reports have said they will have a heavy emphasis on streaming services.
Barkley isn’t fond of that move and thinks it will hurt hard-working and devoted NBA fans.
According to NBACentral, Barkley said:
“They [the NBA] don’t really care about anything but how to make the most money possible. We should never put money above the regular fan. Everybody can’t afford streaming. There’s nothing wrong with streaming, but when you start just going to the highest bidder and you’re not on regular television, I think you do a disservice to the fan.”
Charles Barkley calls out the NBA for not caring about its fans
“They don’t really care about anything but how to make the most money possible. We should never put money above the regular fan. Everybody can’t afford streaming. There’s nothing wrong with streaming, but when you… pic.twitter.com/I1hrm2IkWU
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) July 12, 2024
Adam Silver and his team are working closely with several outlets, including Amazon, NBC, and ESPN.
If the NBA agrees to the terms of the new contracts, many games will be shown on Amazon and NBC’s streaming service Peacock.
While that would make it easier for people to watch games on the go via their phones or tablets, it would also demand they pay more.
Not only would NBA followers have to pay for their home cable service, but they would also need Amazon and Peacock subscriptions too.
Barkley feels that is unfair.
It’ll help the league make more money but it’ll cost the people who have been loyal to the NBA for years.
Of course, streaming has become more popular lately so many people believe it’s just a matter of time before all sports leagues split their time between traditional TV and online services.
It might not be fair but it feels inevitable.
The post Charles Barkley Calls Out NBA For Not Caring About The Fans appeared first on The Cold Wire.