“Scared to Death”: Charles Barkley Exposes Shaq’s Anxiety over Reported $2.8 Billion TNT Contract Failure

Ever since hints of NBA broadcasting rights going to NBC hit the airwaves, tragedy is looming in the air for TNT. One of its prized possessions, Inside the NBA, will also cease to exist if TNT loses the league’s bidding war. However, this puts several jobs at risk, except for Charles Barkley’s. In his contract, a clause secures his move to another network if the show ends, but it isn’t the same for his colleagues, Ernie Johnson or Shaquille O’Neal, who may soon be out of a job.

Charles Barkley expressed his fear about the matter. According to ESPN Chicago, he said, “I feel so bad for the people I work with. It is brutal. Everybody’s scared to death.” Barkley’s fears are justified, as any time there’s a massive contract failure, large-scale layoffs can follow.

Earlier this month, reports suggested that NBC was willing to pay $2.5 billion to secure NBA broadcasting rights, which meant Warner Bros. Discovery (TNT’s parent company) needed to come over $2.8 billion if it wanted to win the bidding war. However, they probably couldn’t, as Bill Simmons said on his podcast.

Simmons made it clear that “One of the funniest things ever is that we’re all pretending the TV deal wasn’t done like a week-and-a-half ago…I think it’s done. I think Warner already lost it. I don’t know why we’re waiting till after the playoffs. Maybe that’s how they have to do it, but it’s a wrap. NBC’s getting it.” So, if that’s the case, where else can we find the dynamic pairing of iconic ‘Inside the NBA’ again? Will we get to see Shaq and Charles Barkley joke around again?

What’s in store for Charles Barkley and the Inside the NBA crew?

Barkley has made it clear that he wouldn’t stay with the company if basketball is no longer part of the equation. Meanwhile, Shaq has been relatively quiet on the matter. In a recent interview on “The Point Game” with John Wall and C.J. Toledano, O’Neal addressed the uncertainty surrounding TNT Sports.

“We don’t really have any information on it. I don’t like to think left or think right but you know uh I agree with you if it be the end of that show I think it’ll be a travesty… we don’t know what’s going on but hopefully, the powers that will make sure that this the show go,” said the Laker legend. As of now, the TNT employee will be in a state of limbo and this playoffs might be the last time we see the beloved show air.