Charles Barkley Issues Strong Statement On TNT Losing NBA Broadcasting Rights

The NBA recently announced plans to sign a new TV rights contract with Amazon as part of their media rights negotiations. This means that TNT will be the network losing their rights to broadcast games, which they’ve held since 1989. Charles Barkley, co-star of the award-winning Inside The NBA, shared a statement regarding the NBA’s media rights negotiations with TNT. He made his disappointment in how things went very clear.

“Clearly, the NBA has wanted to break up with us from the beginning. I’m not sure TNT ever had a chance. TNT matched the money, but 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,” said Barkley in his statement, shared by Bleacher Report. “It’s a sad day when owners and commissioners choose money over the fans,” he added. Barkley has often stressed that the worst aspect of Warner Bros. Discovery (TNT’s parent company) losing its NBA rights is that it immediately puts many people out of work. He, like many fans, believes it’s unfair for people to suffer because of two multi-billion dollar businesses fighting each other.

Charles Barkley Statement On TNT Losing NBA Rights

Earlier Friday, TNT announced that they planned to take legal action against the NBA. They referred to the NBA’s rejection of their offer “unjustified,” adding that they believe keeping NBA coverage on TNT is in the best interest of fans. Charles Barkley told The Athletic that he hoped TNT decided not to pursue a lawsuit. “If you have to sue somebody to stay in a relationship, do you think that is a healthy relationship?” Barkley also previously announced that he intended to retire from television at the end of the 2024-25 season. He has been on the air since 2000, joining TNT after retiring from a Hall of Fame basketball career. However, he sounded less committed to those original comments when his money came into question.

Barkley, who is in the third year of a 10-year contract worth $210 million, could become a free agent if Warner Bros. Discovery fails to honor the full terms of his deal. “TNT Sports has to come to me ASAP and they have to guarantee my whole thing or they can offer me a pay cut, which there is no chance of that happening and I’ll be [a] free agent,” Barkley told The Athletic. “My thing was, ‘Wait, y’all f*cked up, I didn’t f*ck up, why do I have to take a pay cut?’” If TNT loses rights to the NBA, Inside the NBA will cease to exist in its current form. It would be a bleak ending to one of the most beloved sports shows of all time.

The post Charles Barkley Issues Strong Statement On TNT Losing NBA Broadcasting Rights appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

Charles Barkley Shames NBA Owners and Commissioner for Choosing ‘Money Over the Fans’ in New Media Rights Deal

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The NBA has declined Warner Bros. Discovery’s last-minute attempt to retain some of the league’s broadcast rights, but Charles Barkley isn’t feeling it. Barkley is a member of Inside the NBA, the most popular show in sports, which would be nixed as the league moves on.

According to an official statement, the NBA found that WBD’s proposal “did not match the terms of Amazon Prime Video’s offer.” Consequently, the league has finalized a long-term agreement with Amazon, Disney, and NBCUniversal for its broadcast rights.

Following the announcement, Charles Barkley released a statement:

“Clearly the NBA has wanted to break up with us from the beginning. I’m not sure TNT ever had a chance. TNT matched the money, but 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.

“I just want to thank everyone who has been at Turner for the last 24 years. They are the best people and the most talent and they deserve better. I also want to thank the NBA and its fans — the best fans in sports. We’re going to give you everything we have next season.”

– Charles Barkley

Warner Bros. Discovery’s TNT will continue to hold the rights through the 2024-25 season under the current contract. In response to the NBA’s decision, Warner Bros. released a statement on Wednesday, expressing its intent to take “appropriate action” after accusing the NBA of “grossly misinterpreting” its contract rights.

This move marks a significant shift in the NBA’s broadcast landscape, positioning Amazon as a key player alongside established networks Disney and NBCUniversal. Warner Bros. Discovery faces the challenge of addressing the league’s interpretation of its contract.

The post Charles Barkley Shames NBA Owners and Commissioner for Choosing ‘Money Over the Fans’ in New Media Rights Deal first appeared on The Source.

The post Charles Barkley Shames NBA Owners and Commissioner for Choosing ‘Money Over the Fans’ in New Media Rights Deal appeared first on The Source.

NBA Leaves TNT Out of Finalized Broadcast Deal Starting in 2025-26 Season

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The NBA has declined Warner Bros. Discovery’s last-minute attempt to retain some of the league’s broadcast rights. According to an official statement, the NBA found that WBD’s proposal “did not match the terms of Amazon Prime Video’s offer.” Consequently, the league has finalized a long-term agreement with Amazon, Disney, and NBCUniversal for its broadcast rights.

Warner Bros. Discovery’s TNT will continue to hold the rights through the 2024-25 season under the current contract. In response to the NBA’s decision, Warner Bros. released a statement on Wednesday, expressing its intent to take “appropriate action” after accusing the NBA of “grossly misinterpreting” its contract rights.

This move marks a significant shift in the NBA’s broadcast landscape, positioning Amazon as a key player alongside established networks Disney and NBCUniversal. Warner Bros. Discovery faces the challenge of addressing the league’s interpretation of its contract.

The post NBA Leaves TNT Out of Finalized Broadcast Deal Starting in 2025-26 Season first appeared on The Source.

The post NBA Leaves TNT Out of Finalized Broadcast Deal Starting in 2025-26 Season appeared first on The Source.

Shaq And Kenny Got A Laugh Out Of TNT Playing Kendrick Lamar’s Drake Diss ‘Euphoria’ At Halftime

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Wednesday night was a big one in the Mavs-Clippers series, as the two teams met in Los Angeles for a pivotal Game 5 (I’m legally obligated as a sportswriter to call it that) with the series tied 2-2. The first half was a back-and-forth battle until the Mavs went on a late second quarter run to pull ahead by 10 at the halftime break on TNT. Once the halftime buzzer sounded, it was time for Charles Barkley, Shaquille O’Neal, Kenny Smith, and Ernie Johnson to break down that half of basketball in the studio.

However, before they could get to that, TNT’s production team decided to tap into the dominant story of the day in the world of pop culture, playing Kendrick Lamar’s Drake diss that he released earlier in the day, “Euphoria”, in the transition from the booth in L.A. to the studio in Atlanta. Only half of the desk realized what was being played in the background as Ernie did his lead-in, with Shaq and Kenny both chuckling about how they were suddenly in the middle of the rap beef.

The least surprising thing ever is that Shaq (literally a DJ) and Kenny (a man who still listens to new music) would recognize the Drake diss playing while Ernie (old, white) and Chuck (listens to country) would be oblivious. Shaq and Kenny got a kick out of it, with Jet joking that they were inserting themselves in the middle of the rap beef and they needed to play Drake’s “Push Ups” to stay neutral in the battle between the Los Angeles and Toronto artists.

Kevin Durant Takes Jab At Charles Barkley

Kevin Durant respects what the co-hosts of NBA on TNT have done for the spot. Shaquille O’Neal and Charles Barkley are known as greats of the game. However, those greats have had a lot to say about the current game. Barkley has even had a few things to say about Durant in the past. The two have had their previous beef, but Durant realizes they’ve also had good moments. When asked about a potential sit down with Barkley, Durant didn’t hesitate with his answer.

“I probably wouldn’t sit down with Charles [Barkley].” Durant’s comments can be taken as tongue and cheek. The former league MVP had a big smile on his face when making the statement. But don’t get it twisted, there’s no love lost between the two. Barkley was very vocal about Durant’s decision to join the Golden State Warriors a few years back. The former Phoenix Suns star hated the idea of seeing another super team. A term in which Barkley himself has been a part of with his time in Houston.

Kevin Durant Has No Time For Barkley

The beef between the two really hasn’t been on the burner. Durant is more worried about getting his Suns to the NBA Finals. However, Suns fans would like to see the two be able to co-exist. Before 2021, the last time the Suns had been to the NBA Finals was when Barkley was leading the team. But those pesky Chicago Bulls featuring a man named Michael Jordan sent Barkley home ringless. Now the Suns have a great chance at bringing a championship back to Phoenix.

Whatever the case may be, it seems Durant hasn’t let go of Barkley’s past comments. Every professional sport deals with an aspect of this. Former players calling out the current generation. But it’s time for the generations to come together and celebrate the sport. However, the best generation’s discussion will always be a massive topic of discussion. What do you think about Kevin Durant’s comments on Barkley? Is it finally time for the two to settle this beef? Give us your thoughts on the situation in the comments section. For the latest news involving the NBA, keep it right here at HNHH.

Charles Barkley Has Jokes For Rudy Gobert: Video

Charles Barkley loves a good prank. The NBA on TNT co-host can take it just as well as he dishes it out. Tuesday, on pre-game coverage of the play-in tournament, Barkley decided to have a little fun. But that fun came at the expense of Minnesota Timberwolves star Rudy Gobert. Gobert made headlines this week after attempting to strike teammate Kyle Anderson during a timeout. The action has since resulted in Gobert’s suspension from the play-in tournament.

However, that doesn’t mean that others can’t have fun at Gobert’s expense. Barkley decided to give his input on the situation the only way Barkley can. The NBA Hall-of-Famer took a shot at Gobert’s actions that resulted in his suspension.“I’m Rudy Gobert… You can’t hit somebody and run backwards.” Barkley throws a little salt in the wounds when discussing Gobert’s action. It was hard to keep a straight face for the rest of the crew. Check out the hilarious video below.

Charles Barkley Throws Shade At Gobert

Gobert’s actions are funny to some. But the Timberwolves will be without their big man in the seventh-seed play-in matchup with the Los Angeles Lakers. Everything seemed to go wrong for the Timberwolves during their regular season finale. The incident with Gobert and Anderson was a big enough black eye. However, it wasn’t the team’s only loss of the day. Forward Jaden McDaniels fractured his hand after punching a wall at halftime. A franchise in disarray will now fight for a playoff spot against a team that has slowly become a favorite to win it all. The Timberwolves and Lakers will be the second game of Tuesday’s slate of play-in games.

Charles Barkley understands how heated an NBA sideline can get. The former Suns star has long been known for his firey personality. However, since retiring Charles has become everyone’s favorite NBA analyst. Barkley and Shaq have continued their off-the-court rivalry. Which has created great television. What are your thoughts on Barkley’s jab at Gobert? Do you think the joking is too much on the Timberwolves star? Let us know your thoughts in the comment section. For the latest NBA news, keep it right here at HNHH.

Shaq Reportedly Had Hip Surgery, Worries Fans In The Process

Shaq is someone who is beloved by people all around the world. There is a very good reason for this as he is one of those personalities who is always brightening up a room. Overall, Shaq is a man of many talents. For instance, he is one of the best players in the history of the NBA. Moreover, he is a world-renowned DJ who has played at some of the biggest festivals in the entire world. Needless to say, he is an impressive individual. Consequently, people are always excited to see what he will do next.

Over the weekend, however, the NBA Hall-Of-Famer actually had people very worried about his condition. This is due to the fact that he posted a tweet of himself in a hospital bed. He tagged Ernie Johnson and Candace Parker, saying he misses them while noting “I’m always watching.” Clearly, he was referencing NBA on TNT and the shows he does for them. Although, fans were certainly concerned about why Shaq would need to be in the hospital. After all, he had plenty of wires connected to him.

Shaq Tweets From The Hospital

According to TMZ, fans do not have to worry. Essentially, Shaq just needed a minor hip surgery to repair some damage. Overall, it was a very successful operation, and the NBA legend is doing just fine. That said, there was definitely some cause for concern there. Either way, Shaq is a very big man, and when you are of his stature, it is easy for your body to break down quickly. Consequently, it should come as no surprise that he has had to get these kinds of operations. Hopefully, his issue is fixed and he can get back on set in no time.

Shaq is definitely the most valued member of the NBA On TNT crew. He has four NBA titles and multiple Finals MVPs. Moreover, he has the most individual accolades of any of the people on the set. He has been with TNT for years now, and he has made for some truly hilarious moments. We wish the big man nothing but the best in his recovery.

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Chlöe And Wiz Khalifa Will Grace NBA All-Star Weekend By Headlining ‘The NBA On TNT American Express Road Show’

Following the surprise trade that sent Kyrie Irving to the Dallas Mavericks from the Brooklyn Nets, it’s up in the air whether Irving will be on the East or West squad in the 2023 NBA All-Star Game on February 19. But today, February 6, Uproxx can exclusively report on Chlöe and Wiz Khalifa’s whereabouts to tip off NBA All-Star Weekend.

Chlöe and Khalifa are set to headline the NBA On TNT American Express Road Show at The Complex in Salt Lake City, Utah on Thursday, February 16.

Per a release, “the day-long fan experience will include a live studio broadcast,” which will be anchored by the beloved Inside The NBA ensemble of Ernie Johnson, Charles Barkley, Kenny Smith, and Shaquille O’Neal.

It continues, “In addition to the live telecast, the free event will offer fan competitions via the NBA on TNT Arcade, food, drinks, premium giveaways and other interactive games throughout the evening, as well as watch parties for the matchups: Milwaukee Bucks at Chicago Bulls and Los Angeles Clippers at Phoenix Suns.”

Chlöe, Uproxx’s August 2022 cover star, is gearing up to release In Pieces, her debut solo album due out in March. She dropped the soulful “Pray It Away,” its lead single, in late January.

Meanwhile, Khalifa started 2023 by performing “Memory Lane” from his July 2022 album Multiverse and his breakthrough hit”Black And Yellow” during Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve. It’s fitting that Khalifa is involved with NBA All-Star Weekend because he recently brushed up on his game at the expense of his son.

American Express Card Members have early access to tickets to the NBA On TNT American Express Road Show here before the general sale begins tomorrow, February 7. Learn more about the event here.

The 2023 NBA All-Star Game will begin at 8 p.m. ET and broadcast live on TNT from Vivint Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah. See the full schedule for NBA All-Star Weekend here.

Wiz Khalifa is a Warner Music artist. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.

Shaq Rocks Baby Hairs After Losing Another Bet

Shaq is easily one of the most entertaining people on sports television. There are a lot of people who deserve that crown. Of course, people look at guys like Stephen A. Smith and even Skip Bayless. However, when it comes to NBA broadcasts, no one does it better than Shaq.

Overall, NBA On TNT is one of the best ways to consume sorts. Inside The NBA is consistently great, even with the secondary crew which consists of Candace Parker, Shaq, and Jamal Crawford. While most fans prefer the Thursday crew, there is no doubt that these three do a fantastic job.

Shaquille O’Neal before the qualifying ahead of the Formula 1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix at Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates on November 19, 2022. (Photo by Jakub Porzycki/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

Shaq Eats His Words

If you have been watching Shaq, you know that he loves to come up with bets with his co-hosts. For instance, a while back he tried to make a bet involving some frog legs. Subsequently, Shaq lost the bet and was forced to eat frog legs live on the air. Although, he ultimately enjoyed the experience.

Last night, however, Shaq had to come through with a much less enjoyable punishment. After making a bet with Candace Parker last week, Shaq had to wear baby hairs since he ultimately lost. Overall, it made for a hilarious moment on TV and it seemed like the NBA legend was deeply uncomfortable.

In the comments to the post above, many concluded that this would have been funnier with Charles Barkley and Kenny Smith in attendance. However, they are only in on Thursdays, so fans will have to wait until tomorrow to see them. Regardless, it made for another fun Shaq moment.

Let us know what you thought of the lost bet, in the comments down below. Additionally, stay tuned to HNHH for more news from the sports world.

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Shaq Hilariously Thrown Into Christmas Tree By Kenny Smith

Shaq is one of the best personalities on television right now. If you watch a lot of basketball, then you know that he is a fixture on Inside The NBA which is part of TNT’s NBA coverage. On the show, he sits with Ernie Johnson, Kenny Smith, and Charles Barkley.

Overall, these guys are considered to be the best broadcast crew in the entire game. They always have a lot of fun together, and that never seems to change. On any given night, you can expect them to engage in hijinks. Typically, Shaq does the pranking, however, sometimes he is the victim.

Shaquille O’Neal attends HBO Premiere For Four-Part Documentary “SHAQ” at Illuminarium on November 14, 2022 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Prince Williams/Wireimage)

Shaq Takes A Tumble

Last night, Shaq and Kenny Smith engaged in their usual race to the big screen at the back of the set. This is always a fairly hilarious segment, although it was a lot less funny for Shaq yesterday. As you can see in the clip down below, Shaq was shoved into a massive Christmas tree by Smith.

Consequently, Shaq immediately fell over, and considering his size, you can be sure it was a loud fall. Subsequently, the entire TNT crew rushed to make sure Shaq was okay. That said, everyone was laughing about it. The sight of Shaq getting lost in the massive tree was pretty funny, and it made for a viral moment on Twitter.

These are the moments that make the Inside The NBA crew so fun to watch. You don’t typically get this kind of coverage on other NBA analysis shows. Overall, NBA on TNT is the best place to watch basketball, and as long as O’Neal, Chuck, and Smith are on that show together, it will continue to be amazing.

Let us know what you thought of the hilarious clip, in the comments below. As always, stay tuned to HNHH for the latest news and updates from around the sports world.

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