• Loading stock data...
Friday, August 29, 2025
The biggest names in sports media. All in one room. Get your ticket now!

With Ernie Johnson Committed to TNT, Charles Barkley Says ‘Inside the NBA’ Future Is Uncertain

  • Barkley would become a free agent if TNT loses its NBA rights—and he says that could happen as soon as today.
  • He questions whether ‘Inside the NBA’ would work elsewhere without Johnson, who is expected to stay at TNT.
Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

Charles Barkley appeared on The Dan Patrick Show on Friday, discussing the “very stressful” situation at his workplace, TNT, as the network negotiates to retain NBA media rights. Barkley said he hopes TNT’s parent company, Warner Bros. Discovery, re-signs the NBA—and thinks the situation could be resolved, one way or another, at some point Friday.

In addition to ESPN and TNT, the NBA is said to be considering bids from Amazon and NBC, with NBC prepared to outbid Barkley’s current boss. The entire Inside the NBA crew—Barkley, Ernie Johnson, Shaquille O’Neal, and Kenny Smith—signed contract extensions in 2022, but Barkley added a clause in his deal that would make him a free agent if TNT loses its NBA rights.

“I want to make it clear; I love TNT,” Barkley told Patrick on Friday. “I love everybody at TNT, and they’ve been great for me. But I don’t want to be in limbo if we lose the NBA. That wouldn’t be fair to me.”

Johnson, meanwhile, is expected to stay at TNT no matter what happens. That leaves the beloved Inside the NBA in limbo. When Patrick suggested that perhaps the show could move to another broadcaster with a new host, Barkley wasn’t so sure. “Our show won’t be the same without Ernie. Ernie is the most important person on our show,” Barkley said.

Johnson is more tied to Turner than the NBA, Barkley noted, because he also handles baseball coverage. But if the network were to lose the NBA, Barkley said, “Us other three are screwed, basically. Not necessarily screwed, but we won’t have a job.” Barkley, Smith, and Johnson also contribute to March Madness coverage for CBS and Turner.

Barkley said the ongoing NBA negotiations are more “nerve-racking” than past ones because the NBA didn’t sign with TNT during its exclusive negotiating window and opened up instead to outside bidders. In that open market, The Wall Street Journal reported that NBC’s parent, Comcast, would pay $2.5 billion per year for NBA rights, which is more than double the amount TNT currently pays at $1.2 billion annually.

While Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav has said that TNT doesn’t “have to have the NBA,” Barkley sang another tune. “We’ve merged three times in the last five years and we’ve fired hundreds of people. If we lose the NBA, I can’t imagine how bad it’s gonna be at Turner,” he said.

TNT declined Front Office Sports’ requests for comment.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Jason Kelce
exclusive

YouTube Approached Jason Kelce for Chiefs Game, ESPN Said No

ESPN continues to enforce its policy of not lending talents to streamers.
Ohio State mascot Brutus interacts with Lee Corso on the set of ESPN College GameDay prior to the College Football Playoff first round game between the Ohio State Buckeyes and Tennessee Volunteers in Columbus on Dec. 21, 2024.

End of an Era: Lee Corso Making Final ‘College GameDay’ Appearance

After 430 iconic headgear picks, the iconic coach bids farewell.
Breanna Stewart

Breanna Stewart’s Injury Meant Rare Presence at WNBA CBA Talks

Stewart “makes the league sit up straight,” the union director told FOS.

Micah Parsons Traded to Packers, Set to Sign Record 4-Year, $188M Deal

The Cowboys reportedly offered Parsons $40.5 million per year in March.

Featured Today

‘You’re Going to Get Beat Up’: The Liberty’s All-Male Practice Squad

A select group suits up weekly to take on the defending champs.
August 24, 2025

The Honey Deuce Effect: How Tennis Perfected the Signature Cocktail

Sold every 1.5 seconds, they total more than $12 million in sales.
Dec 21, 2024; Austin, Texas, USA; Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning (16) warms up as the Texas Longhorns prepare to play the Clemson Tigers in the first round of the College Football Playoffs at Darrell K Royal Texas Memorial Stadium.
August 23, 2025

Schools Are Hesitant to Allow PE Into Their Athletic Departments

Regardless of budget, schools don’t believe the risk is worth the reward.
Oct 2, 2024; Rosemont, IL, USA; Big Ten commissioner Tony Petitti speaks with the media during the 2024 Big Ten Women’s Basketball media day at Donald E. Stephens Convention Center.
August 22, 2025

‘Not Ready to Jump In’: Power 4 Commissioners Aren’t Sold on PE

Top leaders in college sports have yet to see a satisfactory proposal.

NFL Preseason Sees 17% Jump in TV Ratings, Best Since 2018

Average audiences for the exhibition games increase sharply from last year.
ESPN
August 27, 2025

Disney Sues Sling TV Over $5 Day Passes Granting ESPN Access

Newly introduced short-term subscriptions spark a legal challenge.
Tom Brady
August 27, 2025

NFL Continues to Loosen Tom Brady Restrictions

Brady will be able to attend production meetings–remotely–this season.
Sponsored

Gareth Bale on MLS vs EPL, Retirement & Buying Cardiff City

Gareth Bale shares his post-soccer business playbook.
August 27, 2025

FCC Chair Joins Fox–YouTube TV Fight With Big Game on the Line

The Trump appointee is now involved in another media carriage fight.
Aug 24, 2025; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Tommy Fleetwood holds the FedExCup Trophy on the 18th green after winning the TOUR Championship golf tournament.
August 26, 2025

PGA Tour TV Ratings: Fleetwood’s Breakthrough Caps Playoff Surge

Sunday’s final round drew nearly 4.5 million viewers on NBC.
August 26, 2025

NFL Sunday Ticket Debuts Monthly Plan—but at a Steep Cost

Previously, fans had to purchase the service for the entire season.
August 21, 2025

Fox Enters Streaming Wars With Leaner, Sports-Heavy Approach

A different strategy marks the arrival of the network’s streaming service.