Legendary former forward for the Phoenix Suns and NBA analyst Charles Barkley made a remark regarding the NBA’s decision to eliminate TNT as part of a new media rights agreement that will take effect for the 2025–2026 season.
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Barkley is not pleased at all that the NBA selected Amazon’s offer over TNT’s, as he has previously declared he will retire from television at the conclusion of the 2024–2025 season.
It is obvious that the NBA has desired to sever ties with us from the start. In a message shared on social media, Barkley added, “I do not think TNT ever had a chance.” “The league is aware that Amazon and these tech companies are the only ones prepared to pay for the rights when they double in the future, even though TNT matched the money.” The NBA did not want to aggravate them.
When owners and commissioners put money over fans, it is a sad day. It is really awful.
“I simply wanted to express my gratitude to everyone who has worked at Turner over the past 24 years. They deserve better because they are the most skilled and best people. I express my gratitude to the NBA and its supporters, who are among sports’ greatest. Next season, we plan to give you everything we have got.
TNT quickly declared that it will be suing the NBA in response to Barkley’s remark.
We have filed a lawsuit to defend our rights after the NBA unfairly refused to match our offer of a third party. We firmly feel that this is not only our contractual obligation, but also what is best for fans who want to continue watching our top-notch NBA content with the freedom and options we provide them with on our extensively available WBD video-first distribution platforms, like TNT and Max,” the company posted on social media.
Legendary former forward for the Phoenix Suns and NBA analyst Charles Barkley made a remark regarding the NBA’s decision to eliminate TNT as part of a new media rights agreement that will take effect for the 2025–2026 season.
TNT Sports statement on NBA media rights: pic.twitter.com/C14DPCJ65P
— TNT Sports U.S. PR (@TNTSportsUS) July 26, 2024
Prior to this, the NBA declared that TNT had failed to match Amazon’s $1.8 billion offer:
“We have a long-term agreement with Amazon since Warner Bros. Discovery’s most recent offering did not meet the criteria of Amazon Prime Video’s offer.
“Our main goal has been to increase our supporters’ access to and awareness of our games throughout these discussions. By enhancing the broadcast, cable, and streaming packages that are already included in our new Disney and NBCUniversal arrangements, our new agreement with Amazon helps us achieve this aim. Additionally, all three partners have made significant financial commitments to advance the league and improve the fan experience.
“We look forward to another NBA season on TNT and are grateful to Turner Sports for its award-winning coverage of the NBA.”
TNT and Barkley firmly believe that they met Amazon’s offer, thus the outcome of this legal action remains to be seen.