Despite TNT matching Amazon's offer, the NBA decided to choose the latter, ending the network's run as the league's partner after the following season. While much of the talk is centered on this also being the end of the "Inside the NBA," Charles Barkley is more worried about his colleagues working behind the scenes.
Concerned for the workers
TNT has held the rights to broadcast the NBA since 1989, with "Inside the NBA" becoming an iconic sports broadcast piece. The biggest chunk of the network's highly acclaimed reputation can be credited to the award-winning show featuring Charles Barkley, Ernie Johnson, Shaquille O'Neal, and Kenny Smith.
But Barkley, arguably the most beloved member of the "Inside the NBA" staff, isn't worried about him and his co-hosts losing the job—especially since he hinted at the possibility of joining Amazon if the offer is right. Instead, it's the behind-the-scenes people he feels sorry for.
"I'm not too worried about me, to be honest with you; I am worried about the other people who work there. Me, Kenny, Ernie, and Shaq are gonna be fine, but there's probably going to be 200 people who lose their jobs," the Hall of Famer said on SI Media with Jimmy Traina. "That's the part that really sucks."
Workers deserve proper treatment
The trio of Chuck, Shaq, and Kenny have certainly stored generational wealth, considering their past success as NBA players. So they'll be fine even if none of them lands another lucrative media deal.
On the other hand, it's unfortunate how things will soon unfold for other media workers affiliated with TNT Sports. From top to bottom, everyone has played a significant role in building the network's success over the past 35 years. And now, uncertainty is the only thing left as the show is set to end after the 2025-25 NBA campaign.
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