Warner Bros. Discovery has ‘big plans’ for ‘bona fide television star’ Charles Barkley after losing NBA rights

THERE’S no question that Charles Barkley is one of the biggest stars in sports television.

And Warner Bros. Discovery are making it clear they still have big plans for Barkley , even with TNT losing its rights to the NBA .

Getty

Getty

The “Inside the NBA” show will go down as one of the most popular in the history of sports coverage on US television.

It is expected to end following the 2024-25 NBA season.

The program, which features Barkley alongside Ernie Johnson, Shaquille O’Neal and Kenny Smith, has been much loved by fans across many decades.

It’s certainly not a given that Barkley’s time with WBD will be over next year however, even if the show does end.

Puck News sports correspondent John Ourand was a guest on the SI Media with Jimmy Traina podcast.

And he said WBD believes Barkley is “still a bona fide television star” who could contribute more to its sports coverage, or even news coverage in the future.

“There are several options that are out there, including staying with Warner Bros. Discovery,” Ourand said.

“David Zaslav has told people that even having lost the NBA, Charles Barkley is still a bona fide television star.

“He’s great on television. And they have other sports that are there.

“They have March Madness, Barkley has been part of their hockey coverage here and there, and they want to just do more in sports, and he could expand from just doing NBA to being a sports commentator perhaps.”

Barkley co-hosted a political talk show with Gayle King for CNN earlier this year.

Although it wasn’t a big business, it does offer an indication that it’s not only within sports that he could feature on screen in the years to come.

“It’s easy to make fun of King Charles at CNN that was widely panned and canceled,” Ourand said.

“They haven’t given up on the idea that he can do something with the right amount of support and right amount of promotion that can be successful that goes beyond sports and entertainment.”

Barkley has been very critical of the new NBA broadcast deal since it was announced last week.

Highest contracts in NBA history

1. Jayson Tatum , Celtics – 5 years, $314 million
2. Jaylen Brown , Celtics – 5 years, $285.4 million
3. Nikola Jokic , Nuggets – 5 years, $276.1 million
4. Bradley Beal , Suns – 5 years, $251 million (signed with Washington)
5. Anthony Edwards , Timberwolves – 5 years, $244.6 million

   Tyrese Haliburton , Pacers – 5 years, $244.6 million

Per Spotrac

The NBA announced it had signed 11-year agreements to air games on Amazon Prime Video, Disney and NBC.

“Clearly, the NBA has wanted to break up with us from the beginning,” Barkley wrote on social media.

“I’m not sure TNT ever had a chance. TNT matched the money.

“The league knows Amazon and these tech companies are the only ones willing to pay for the rights when they double in the future. The NBA didn’t want to piss them off.”

“It’s a sad day when owners and commissioners choose money over the fans. It just sucks.”