Adam Silver and the NBA’s next TV rights deal has been a hot topic lately. This upcoming 2024-25 season, the NBA’s broadcasting rights with TNT and ESPN will come to an end. Despite having top broadcasters including NBC, Prime Video, and ESPN in line to bid, the news has been a major concern for it may take up the jobs of many. And for this reason, Adam Silver has been criticized quite a bit lately. However, the 4x NBA Champion holds a different view.

In a recent podcast, Andre Iguodala sat down to share his insights about Adam Silver and the fate of Shaquille O’Neal and Co. on the ‘Inside the NBA’ show. “Adam Silver is setting up all these packages so he’s grabbing as many eyeballs in different places. It’s like, ‘where are people watching TV in linear? Where are people watching TV streaming? Where can I get a hybrid model or international package?'” Iguodala said, via 7 PM in Brooklyn with Melo and Mero.

Now that the contract is nearing an end, Silver is out looking for lucrative opportunities rather than being loyal to TNT. And in agreement with this is Iguodala who opined that Silver is doing the right thing by searching for other TV deals more profitable for the league, indirectly claiming that moving away from TNT might have been a suitable option. “Like they’re doing it right; we just don’t know this,” Iguodala added, justifying Silver’s pursuit of other TV rights.

Adam Silver, the commissioner of the NBA, has been a vital reason for the NBA’s growth over the years both financially and globally. Notably, he is responsible for the development of the WNBA, NBA G League, NBA 2K League, and Basketball Africa League. He is further credited for the setting up of the digital assets of the NBA along with the establishment OF NBA China and NBA Africa. Considering his experience as NBA commissioner for over a decade, Silver knows the league well.

While Iguodala is in agreement with Silver’s actions, it is not something the ‘Inside the NBA’ cast would agree with.

The uncertain future of ‘Inside the NBA’ show

As the news around the NBA rights’ contract expiration came out, the immediate focus was on Shaq and Charles Barkley‘s hilarious antics and banter. Since then, all the possibilities around TV rights with TNT have been calculated. Meanwhile, Barkley also made his retirement announcement from broadcasting after the 2024-25 season.

Interestingly, Barkley before the aforementioned announcement criticized his bosses all the way along, making his disapproval quite obvious. He further stressed how the large workforce associated with the show is stuck in limbo because a final decision hasn’t been reached yet. However, all these efforts went in vain as the show itself signed off for the year this month.

Despite these efforts, it’s far from clear what will happen if WBD loses the NBA. But hope is still there. For those unaware, WBD might keep some of the NBA rights beyond next season through a fourth package, which would lead to the show airing less often. Now, the question is: Will Charles Barkley get back to Iguodala for his comment? Only time will tell.

Stay tuned for more such updates, and to follow what Shaq’s ex-agent, Leonard Armato, has to say about the infamous Shaq-Kobe feud, Caitlin Clark’s Olympic snub, and more, watch this video.