He The NBA rejected an offer Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) will exercise its right to match an offer from Amazon for a portion of the league's 11-year, $76 billion media rights deal on Wednesday.
Less than 48 hours after the announcement, TNT's parent company WBD filed a gag order in New York County Supreme Court.
Charles Barkley, The Hall of Famer and longtime co-host of TNT's popular “Inside the NBA” show reacted to the company's failed attempt to renew broadcast rights.
“It's clear that the NBA has wanted to part ways with us from the beginning. I'm not sure TNT ever had a chance,” he wrote in a statement. In June, Barkley revealed his intention to retire at the conclusion of the 2024-25 NBA season. On Friday, he hinted that he was open to other opportunities.
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Charles Barkley speaks onstage on February 12, 2015, in New York City. (Stephen Lovekin/Getty Images for American Express)
“I've talked to all three networks… I've talked to three networks,” Barkley said Friday during an appearance on the “Dan Patrick Show.”
When Patrick asked if Barkley would follow through with his retirement plans since he was getting calls from other media companies, the NBA legend said he was “going to listen” to what the networks had to say.
'INSIDE THE NBA' HOST CHARLES BARKLEY INDICATES LEAGUE BREAKUP WAS INEVITABLE: 'I'M NOT SURE TNT EVER HAD A CHANCE'
“First of all, I'd be stupid not to take your call, but the good thing about this situation … I don't have to make any decisions for a year, Dan,” Barkley said. “But I said to all three networks, 'Hey, I'm honored. I'm flattered that you all want to talk to me, but let's see what happens a year from now.'”
In May, the Sports Business Journal reported that Barkley has a clause in his contract that allows him to go elsewhere once the network's deal with the NBA ends.
TNT's Shaquille O'Neal, Ernie Johnson, Kenny Smith and Charles Barkley speak on Feb. 17, 2024, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. (Brandon Todd/NBAE via Getty Images)
Barkley confirmed the terms of his lucrative contract with TNT, revealing that the deal is structured in a way that allows him to become a free agent once the 2024-25 NBA season concludes.
“My contract is for 10 years and $210 million. Next year will be my third year,” Barkley told Patrick. “Turner has to come to me today or next week and say, 'Hey, we screwed up. Are you going to take a payout?' So they're going to have to guarantee me the full 10 years, the $210 million, or they're going to have to ask me to take a pay cut, which I'm not going to take under any circumstances. There's no chance I'm going to take a pay cut.”
She added that while she anticipates being a sought-after media personality next year, she also reaffirmed her intention to close her career in broadcasting.
“But I don't think they (TNT) will guarantee it to me, to be honest, because they don't really have anything. So I think I'll be a free agent next summer. Right now, my intention is to retire.”
A basketball on the court next to an NBA logo during a break in the first half of a game in Las Vegas. (Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
The terms of the new media rights deals maintain streaming rights for Disney’s ABC and ESPN platforms, while marking the return of NBA games to NBC and the introduction of games to the company’s Peacock streaming service. Amazon Prime Video also picks up a package of games scheduled to begin airing after the 2024-25 season.
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However, WBD's lawsuit indicates that the battle over NBA broadcast rights could ultimately be resolved in court. WBD released a statement explaining its decision to file the lawsuit.
“Given the NBA's unjustified rejection of our offer to match a third party's offer, we have taken legal action to enforce our rights,” WBD said in a statement. “We strongly believe that this is not only our contractual right, but is also in the best interest of fans who want to continue to watch our industry-leading NBA content with the choice and flexibility we offer them through our widely distributed WBD video distribution platforms, including TNT and Max.”
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