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To the disgust of Hall of Famer Charles Barkley, the NBA is close to completing a groundbreaking new media rights deal that nearly triples its current contract. Barkley, a member of TNT's "Inside the NBA" program that regularly covers marquee matchups throughout the season, called the new deal a money grab.
"You got greedy players and greedy owners," he said. "They don’t really care about anything but how to make the most money possible."
The deal, which needs approval from the NBA's board of governors, would average $6.9 billion per season through deals with ESPN, NBC Universal and Amazon. It would kick off for the 2025-26 season.
Warner Bros. Discovery, owners of TNT, may try to match the $1.8 billion proposed by Amazon, but Barkley will retire at the end of TNT's current contract regardless.
The new deal could push games off of regular cable networks that have been a stalwart of regular NBA viewership for most of its history. This yields some broadcasts available to only Amazon Prime subscribers.
"We should never put money above the regular fan. Everybody can’t afford streaming," he said. "There’s nothing wrong with streaming, but when you start just going to the highest bidder and you’re not on regular television, I think you do a disservice to the fan.”
Amazon already has a deal with the WNBA, but this would be the first NBA media rights deal to include a non-cable streaming service. ESPN (Disney) will pay $2.6 billion, and NBC will pay $2.5 billion.
Charles Barkley explains exit from TV
Barkley lamented the potential deal, mentioning the effect it has on his home network that has passionately covered the NBA for years.
"I really feel bad for everybody at TNT," Barkley said to the Sports Business Journal. "All the people I've been working with for the past 24 years, they're like family to me and I really hope we match. Honestly, in my heart, I think we have lost the package."
He joked that he's earned the right to retire and doesn't need to stick around for financial incentives. The 15-year NBA legend has been a media member for 24 years.
"If I don't have enough money by now, I'm the biggest idiot, fool in the world," he told CNBC. "I've been so lucky and blessed."
The NBA's board of governors is set to meet in Las Vegas next week. If the deal is approved, it gets sent to TNT, where they can then match offers and bid to be part of the next contract.
