Barkley Opens Up About TNT’s Future Amid ESPN Deal Concerns

ATLANTA, Ga. — Charles Barkley has expressed mixed feelings regarding the recent deal that will see TNT‘s beloved basketball show, Inside the NBA, transition to ESPN after 36 years of airing on TNT. The agreement comes following the conclusion of the NBA’s regular season and has raised questions about potential changes to the program’s format and workload.

During a recent episode of the SI Media Podcast with Jimmy Traina, Barkley addressed the concerns surrounding his contract negotiations and the future of Inside the NBA. “I’ve been going back and forth with TNT for the last few months. I said, I think I can give you guys two years. They were like, can you give us three?” he remarked, highlighting his uncertainty about a prolonged commitment to the network.

Barkley, who confirmed he has seven years left on his current deal, stressed that he is unwilling to extend his contract that long. “There’s no f—ing way I’m working for seven years,” he stated frankly. As negotiations continue, he hopes to limit his work to either two or three additional years.

Despite his apprehensions about the length of the deal, Barkley has expressed enthusiasm about working with ESPN. However, he remains firm about avoiding potentially burdensome obligations that could arise from the partnership. “It’s an honor and privilege to work for ESPN, but I’m not gonna be going on First Take, Get Up, SportsCenter, Pat McAfee. That s–t isn’t gonna happen,” he emphasized, illustrating his desire to maintain a manageable workload.

Barkley further critiqued TNT’s attempts to expand the Inside the NBA format, saying, “TNT wants to do some stuff, too. We’re gonna do a pilot this week… But what does that mean?”

Amidst speculation about other networks pursuing him, such as NBC and Amazon, Barkley shared that while he received a firm offer from NBC, the increased work demands led him to decline. “I was like, yeah, that’s not gonna happen. Even though they offered me more money, it wasn’t worth it for me from a work standpoint,” he explained.

In the face of industry changes, Barkley is focused on preserving the essence of Inside the NBA while navigating the challenges that come with the new partnership. He is set to tape the first pilot with TNT this week but remains cautious about the implications for his workload.

As the NBA playoffs approach, fans can expect a significant shift in how Inside the NBA is presented, but for Barkley, the priority is finding a balance that maintains the show’s integrity and his own well-being.

Listeners can tune into the full interview on the SI Media with Jimmy Traina podcast, where Barkley discusses a variety of topics beyond the ESPN deal, including his recent controversial comments and reflections on the NBA playoffs.