Charles Barkley Slams NBA for Bailing on TNT for Amazon Deal

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The Inside the NBA analyst released a statement Friday in which he laments the league's recently announced, multi-billion dollar media rights deal with Disney, NBC and Amazon — a deal that ends a 36-year relationship with Turner Sports — and accuses the NBA of choosing "money over the fans." His remarks come after TNT owner Warner Bros. Discovery attempted to match Amazon's offer for the NBA's third-tier package, but the NBA decided that their bid did not match the terms of Amazon's offer.

"Clearly the NBA has wanted to break up with us from the beginning," Barkley alleges at the start of his statement. "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," he continues. "I just want to thank everyone who has been at Turner for the last 24 years. They are the best people and the most talented 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."

TNT, of course, is the home of the popular Inside the NBA studio show with hosts Ernie Johnson, Barkley, Kenny Smith and Shaquille O'Neal. There's no word yet on whether the Inside the NBA crew will jump ship to NBC or Amazon to continue their coverage, but Barkley has said that he's retiring after next season and not moving to a new network."/>