Grim News Haunts Fans as $75 Billion Deal May See Shaquille O’Neal, Charles Barkley and Other NBA Legends Move On From the League

Turner Sports is reportedly preparing to go on without the NBA, which might mean the end of the 33-year-old legacy. Imagine the absence of Shaquille O’Neal, Charles Barkley, Kenny Smith, and others from TNT’s ‘Inside The NBA’. Furthermore, the pre-game and post-game analyses will be different. As the news spread, fans appeared to be disappointed as they expressed their sentiments online.

Turner Sports and the NBA have been partners since 1987. And today the media rights of the NBA are in the hands of Turner Sports and Disney’s ESPN. The current media deal is worth a combined $24 billion. Furthermore, the current deal is set to expire at the end of the 2024-2025 NBA season. What’s more, is that the NBA will be looking forward to signing a huge long-term deal that is reported to be worth more than $75 billion.

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In those years, the NBA grew significantly, and the NBA on TNT show was arguably the most popular sports analysis show. However, as competition rises, corporations such as Amazon are prepared to enter the market and are more than willing to pay a high price.

Turner Sports without the NBA could mean no more Shaquille O’Neal on ‘Inside the NBA’

It is reported that David Zaslav, chief executive officer of Turner’s parent company Warner Bros is in talks with the NBA regarding their upcoming deal. But if the negotiation falls apart, Zaslav said, “We don’t have to have the NBA.” This is because Warner Bros. merged with Discovery in 2021, and they still have favorable deals with MLB and the NFL.

All of these events are unfolding so quickly that fans are taken aback. Furthermore, the fact that fans cannot witness Los Angeles Lakers legend Shaquille O’Neal, alongside NBA greats like Charles Barkley and other iconic players appears to haunt them the most.

Here are some of the reactions from NBA Twitter:

The current deal doesn’t have streaming rights. But it is reported that the future deal might have that too. And Amazon is reportedly more than interested to get such a deal. But at the same time, the front office of Warner Bros. may consider this deal because it is a long-term contract. However, breaking ties with the NBA for a long duration would likely be unfavorable for the company.

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What are your thoughts about the potential new media rights deal for the NBA? Would you be sad to see the ‘Inside the NBA’ crew gone? Let us know in the comments below.