For over three decades, Inside the NBA has graced basketball fans around the world. Shaq, Kenny Smith, Charles Barkley, and Ernie Johnson have created a wonderful bond that exudes through the TV screen. That makes it especially saddening when considering the adored show could leave the NBA if Turner Sports fails to match NBC’s bid for the revised NBA media rights deal. The atmosphere is full of uncertainty and concern. In midst of such chaos, TNT did something that has heavily upset Barkley.

The Phoenix Suns legend has been vocal about Inside the NBA’s survival going into the new media rights deal. He noted how it was the first TNt hadn’t resigned a deal in the exclusivity window. Additionally, he admitted no one knew what fate lies ahead for the multiple-time Emmy-winning show.

Recently, he even appeared on the Dan Patrick Show to discuss the sensitivity of the issue. There was where he expressed his frustration over TNT’s audacious decision to sign a deal to air college football playoff games since the money spent could have been put toward ensuring the continuation of one of the greatest sports shows of all time.

Charles Barkley says TNT screwed them

Dan Patrick, as the host of the show was curious about the morale at Turner Sports and the employees working for Inside the NBA. When he questioned Barkley about it, the Hall of Famer bluntly stated, “morale sucks. plain and simple”. Visibly dejected, Barkley relayed his sadness for the countless employees who depend on Inside the NBA as a source of income and camaraderie.

“These people have families and I just really feel bad for them right now. You know, these people I worked with they screwed this thing up clearly. We have zero idea what’s going to happen. I don’t feel good, I’m not going to lie”, Barkley stated. He added how Turner Sports’ decision to sign college football was ludicrous and the funds devoted to the cause could have been used to buy the NBA’s media rights.

“I was like damn, they could have used that money to buy the NBA!” Barkley said astounded by TNT’s absurd decision. He goes on to state that Turner Sports has no history attached to airing college football on their network. The National Basketball Association has provided them with exponential success and has never left the network since 1988.

Now, it could all drown away if Warner Bros. Discovery doesn’t match the $2.5 billion submitted by NBCUniversal for it’s streaming company Comcast. As per the latest reports, Turner Sports is internally planning on matching an offer. However, their focus is on Amazon’s attempt to swoop the NBA and not wage war against NBC.

Ardent fans of Inside the NBA want just one thing, for the show to keep airing and for the cherished bond of the crew to live on. The means don’t matter as long as it ensures a lifeline for the show. No one seems to be ready to say goodbye just yet. But is there a final twist in this financial saga?