Warner Bros. Discovery has decided to match Amazon’s $1.8 billion bid for NBA media rights, potentially keeping ‘Inside the NBA’ on TNT and influencing Charles Barkley’s retirement plans. After 40 years of broadcasting the league, TNT faced losing its media rights until WBD made this bold move. Shaq, Kenny, and Ernie Johnson remain loyal to the network, but what about Charles Barkley?

The legendary NBA analyst went on record to say that next year would be his last on television. He made this announcement when TNT seemed to be on the verge of losing its media rights. But now hopes have been revived for the show. Will this encourage the Hall of Famer to extend his career? According to Cam’ron, there’s a chance.

“We’ve seen Charles Barkley not even earlier this year but a few months ago. Maybe a month now saying that he is retiring. Maybe he won’t retire if this stays on TNT. Maybe they can keep the gang together for a little while longer if it stays on TNT and we will see what happens,” the popular rapper said.

Even though Cam’ron wishes TNT to continue hosting NBA games, he understands the appeal of Amazon. He praised their comfortable interface and large audience as key reasons for the younger generation to gravitate toward streaming. But his nostalgia wants to continue seeing the “funny” ‘Inside the NBA’ continue with Barkley among the leads.

At the same time, the musician also believes Charles Barkley could be honest about his retirement and Turner is actively looking for replacements. “We see them bringing in different people just because Barkley has been on the record saying he doesn’t want to work into his 70s. And they are trying to figure out different pieces that match and moving forward because Barkley he has made enough money and he seems comfortable in life where he’s like I don’t want to do this anymore,” Cam’ron explained.

Either way, no matter what the result, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver is going to have some important decisions to make considering the repercussions the climax of this media deal could potentially have.

Adam Silver and the NBA could face a lawsuit

It is true that WBD has relayed their intentions to match Amazon’s $1.8 billion offer. Contractually, they have every right to do so as the longest network behind the NBA. But it might not be what Silver desires. Having to construct a model that caters to the fast-evolving world of streaming, the league commissioner reportedly wants to switch to streaming platforms rather than network television.

Turner does have a large viewership. However, the staggering growth of Amazon as streaming leaders is hard to overlook. Prime has a dominant hold in the US, with over 148 million users on the platform. So even if Warner Bros. Discovery does intend to match the offer, there’s a chance Adam Silver rejects the deal.

The consequence of doing so could be a grim legal battle between the NBA and WBD. The league can either offer Warner Bros. Discovery a hefty settlement fee for foregoing their claim to match or the company could simply decide to sue Silver and the NBA. This is among the core reasons the new media rights deal won’t feature a right to match.

There’s still a lot left to unpack in this saga. Do you wish Charles Barkley and TNT to continue their reign, or is it time for Amazon to take over? Let us know your views in the comments below.