The NBA media rights deal continues to complicate each day. TNT, a network that has had the NBA for over 35 years is at risk of losing its biggest sport. For the first time, they failed to sign an extension in the exclusivity window, and their foothold on the NBA is fast depleting. It also means the saddening end of one of the most adored television shows – ‘Inside the NBA’.  Shaquille O’Neal and Charles Barkley have both spoken about the ambiguity they have been left in. The latter also felt Warner Bros. Discovery has angered the NBA. A source close to the story provided all the juice in the recent developments around the media rights deal.

During the latest episode of ‘The Joe Pomp Show’, the host invited Alex Sherman. He has been closely following the media rights negotiations and noted how Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav’s comments annoyed NBA Commissioner Adam Silver. “I think the Warner Brothers Discovery’s message of financial discipline has irritated the NBA. And look, you brought it u already. Clearly, that’s why they didn’t walk away with a handshake deal like Disnet did from there during the exclusivity window. So, I think there’s some tension there”, Sherman explained.

Adam Silver hasn’t publicly addressed the comments from Zaslav. However, Sherman believes the NBA is after a partner who will prioritize the league. Hence, Zaslav’s comments could have seen the NBA deter away from Turner Sports. Charles Barkley feels so too. When he joined The Dan Patrick Show a few days back he named Zaslav responsible for angering Silver.

“The first thing is they came out and said, ‘We didn’t need the NBA.’ So, I think that probably pissed Adam [Silver] off’. I don’t know that. But when we merged, that’s the first thing our boss said, ‘We don’t need the NBA.’ Well, he don’t need it. But me, Kenny, Shaq, Ernie and the rest of the people who work there, we need it. It just sucks right now”, Barkley vented.

The next few weeks could be crucial in deciding the fate of Inside the NBA and TNT. Unless they earn the media rights deal, next season will be the last time Charles Barkley, Shaq, Kenny Smith, and Ernie Johnson sit on the extended desk in Studio J.

TNT has the right to match offers

Zaslav might have angered Silver. The implications were TNT failing to sign in the exclusivity window. However, their chance to retain the NBA isn’t diminished just yet. TNT believes they have the right to match any offer. NBC’s $2.5 billion might push its financial resources. Hence, reports claim they are after the offer Amazon has submitted to the NBA.

Turner Sports could target the digital media giant’s offer to stream the NBA and keep one of the most acclaimed shows on television going for another few years. The intricacies are still unknown. However, fans of the show are surely praying for a miracle to bless the TNT crew.

How do you think this media rights deal negotiation ends? If you want to know how losing the NBA could impact the crew listen to what Leonard Armato, a former agent of Shaquille O’Neal had to say about the same in the video below.