The 2024-25 season marks the final stretch of the NBA’s current media rights deal, and big changes are coming. After this year, the way fans watch games will look very different. With NBC Sports and Amazon joining the league’s broadcasting lineup, the future of TNT Sports’ role remains uncertain. TNT’s legendary and award-winning studio show is entering its 35th season.

But instead of looking ahead to more milestones, this season will mark a farewell for Ernie Johnson, Charles Barkley, Kenny Smith, and Shaquille O’Neal. Honestly, it’s hard to imagine NBA nights without this iconic crew—it feels like the end of an era we’ll all miss. Honestly, it’s hard not to feel a little nostalgic—TNT has been a staple for years. Change is exciting, but it’s also a bit bittersweet.

Moreover, Chuck might’ve to go to a place he doesn’t like very much. In 2016, Inside the NBA was breaking down a Warriors-Thunder game when Barkley stole the spotlight. When asked how he’d handle the coverage if he worked at ESPN, Barkley launched into a hilarious rant that left his co-hosts in stitches. “Not gonna work me like a dog and not pay me,” he quipped, delivering one of his most memorable moments.

Stephen A. Smith finally got the chance to confront him. How? NBA Countdown and Inside the NBA had a crossover broadcast. SAS asked, “Uh, Chuck Who’s the person that said they would never want to work for ESPN?” to which Chuck replied, “I want to work for ESPN, I don’t want to work for ESPN two ESPN News, ESPNU, ESPN Radio. I don’t want to work for those other four networks.” Clarified Chuck.

But why does Chuck want to work for ESPN after committing to TNT?

Charles Barkley feels betrayed by TNT

For Charles Barkley, hearing about Inside the NBA’s fate was like finding out he’d been traded—through the media. Earlier this month, The Wall Street Journal reported that TNT had struck a deal to license the show to ESPN, and Barkley was blindsided. On The Bettor Angle show, he shared his frustration: “They haven’t even told us we lost the NBA,” he said. “We have to hear it through the media.” he further added.

Barkley revealed that even his friends at ESPN had informed him of the move. “Scott Van Pelt, Brian Windhorst, Elle Duncan, Bob Myers, all friends of mine who I really like a lot… They texted me welcoming me to the ESPN family. I’m like, what happened?” He felt the lack of a heads-up was disrespectful: “Basically, we got traded.”

While he wasn’t worried about himself or his co-hosts, Ernie, Kenny, and Shaq, Barkley was concerned for the production staff. “It’s been frustrating… I’ve never been around people who have had to worry about their job security,” he said. The uncertainty weighed on him, especially after the NBA announced a new TV deal for the 2025-26 season, leaving TNT out.

The licensing deal between ESPN and TNT also included ESPN sublicensing Big 12 college football and basketball to WBD, which can air on TNT and MAX streaming. It’s still unclear whether Inside the NBA will replace ESPN’s current NBA Countdown show. What do you think where will Chuck end up?