Warner Bros. Discoverys path to the internet is being obstructed by Charles Barkley.
After years of co-hosting the famous TNT program Inside the NBA, the basketball veteran announced his retirement from announcing responsibilities late Friday night, adding a new twist to Warners continuing attempts to retain media rights to the NBA.
After Game 4 of the NBA Finals, Barkley made his decision public during his live remarks on NBA TV. I will not be appearing on television again after next year, regardless of what happens.
N mtter hw the NB divides up the new rights pckge it hs negtited with NBCUniversl, Disney, nd mzn, Brkley hs lredy stted tht he will nt leve fr nther netwrk. t the end f the 20242025 sesn, Wrner Brs. Discvery will n lnger be leglly ble t ir NB gmes. lthugh it is cnsidered highly imprbble, Wrner is ttempting t chisel ut tiny furth bundle f gmes. Thse in the knw ls sy tht Wrner is cnsidering whether r nt it hs the legl right t ttempt t mtch the ffers mde by ther prties prticipting in the bidding prcess.
In recent months, our network has been the center of a great deal of activity,: Barkley made the comment in reference to the heated debate over whether or not Warner Bros. Discovery, which is in the midst of massive debt, can retain any NBA rights. I spoke with every network out there, but TNT is the only one Im going to work with. What matters is that I have already decided that next year will be my final year on television, regardless of what happens.
Since Barkley, Kenny Smith, and Ernie Johnson were all cast members of Inside the NBA, and they all signed new multi-year deals to remain with the program in 2022, the decision probably startled many. A more extensive agreement was reached between the parent business and Shaquille ONeal in 2020, making him the fourth member of the shows studio team.
Executive Luis Silberwasser, who has been in charge of Warner Bros.s sports operations, stated, Our partnership with the NBA is very important to us and this long-term agreement with the Inside the NBA team is recognition of their significance to that relationship. in a statement released when the new talent deal was announced.
Barkley became famous after joining Inside the NBA in 2000 for his frank and occasionally contentious opinions. Barkley isnt hesitant to criticize a players play or shortcomings. Over the past several weeks, he has been quite critical of Warner Bros. Discoverys approach to the rights negotiation, accusing executives of being oblivious to the impact that the cancellation of NBA broadcasts will have on his shows production crew.