The NBA is beginning to step closer to signing a new 11-year media rights deal. The latest version consists of three partners, one more than their last deal. The games will be divided amongst ESPN/ABC, Amazon, and NBC. That means after forty years of graciously serving the NBA, Warner Bros. Discovery could potentially be left to hang dry. It will also mean the end of Inside the NBA, a show that has touched and impacted the lives of millions of fans. Shaquille O’Neal, Charles Barkley, Kenny Smith, and Ernie Johnson became household names sharing the stage for over 20 years. If Turner fails to secure a deal, they all will likely go their separate ways. All but one as a recent report suggests.

The Athletic’s Andrew Marchand and Richard Deitsch addressed the various news around the new media rights deal and what implications it could have on the Inside the NBA crew. When debating over the story, Marchand felt the only person from the crew who could attract the interest of the involved networks was Charles Barkley. “Wherever he wants. I know ESPN, Amazon and NBC are interested in him, according to executives briefed on their plans. If TNT Sports loses the NBA, I’m not sure Barkley is just totally free to do whatever he wants — though it might end up that way — especially if he continues to go after Warner Bros. Discovery chairman David Zaslav” he reported.

The NBA Hall of Famer took a jab at Turner and Zaslav for ‘messing up’ the negotiations and failing to secure a new deal with the NBA. However, till the deals aren’t signed, Turner can still hold out hope. The CEO of Warner Bros. Discovery has made his intentions of matching offers very clear. It could be either NBC’s $2.5 billion/season or Amazon’s $1.8 billion/season. This stands under the pretext that the crew will continue to work together under the new deal.

But with the situations looking less likely with every passing day, Charles Barkley and others might have to start entertaining other avenues. In that regard, Deitsch believes NBC could tempt Barkley to sign a deal with them because he is the “best sports studio analyst ever“. As per his calculations, the deal could be anywhere near $20 million annually as opposed to the $10 million he reportedly earns from Inside the NBA on TNT. It could be NBC’s strategy to eliminate Turner from even considering to match any offers if they lose such a high-profile analyst.

“As you said, Barkley can go wherever he wants. An educated guess is that any number will be closer to $20 million annually than $10 million. If I had to handicap a non-WBD player, I would cautiously put my money on NBC. Very cautiously”, Richard Deitsch suggested to the New York Times.

Apart from financial freedom, Barkley will also have access to a larger and more diverse crowd than what Turner has offered in all these years. The only drawback to it is his bond with the entire crew. Charles Barkley shares a cherished relationship with all of Shaq, Smith, and Johnson. Without their efforts, even he wouldn’t be on the pedestal he is today. His loyalty to them could prove to be a hindrance in NBC’s rumored plans.

Does Charles Barkley want to continue Inside the NBA by himself?

Back when the news of Warner Bros. Discovery’s inability to secure the NBA first came out, there was a fog of uncertainty. No one knew what was going to happen. There was just despair and sorrow throughout the TNT studio. “Morale sucks, plain and simple“, Barkley told Dan Patrick when addressing the unknowing reality.

The Hall of Famer further claimed he feels miserable about everyone he works with since the show employed many personnel behind the cameras. Naturally, fans were upset too. So one of them provided Barkley with a frivolous solution. Why doesn’t he continue to run the show with his production company? Practically, it seems difficult. However, Chuck has always been a positive-minded person.

“I have my own production company, I would love to do that if we lose it“ Barkley admitted to Patrick.

The feasibility of a self-funded project is questionable. But it is extended proof of the admiration and respect Barkley has for the entire crew. He was willing to sign all of them under his production company and make sure no one lost their job. His future may hang in the balance, but Barkley’s heart seems to be beating for only TNT.