Will the new home of Inside the NBA make Charles Barkley happy? If the NBA’s staple show were to end, fans and veterans have urged Chuck to sign with a different network, such as ESPN. However, he has always refused the idea for several reasons. However, there is new hope that the show will continue with the same panel of veteran analysts but under a different network, ESPN. This might bring mixed emotions for Chuck, considering his history with the rival network.

Warner Bros. Discovery’s legal battle with the NBA, after TNT failed to strike a deal, has finally ended. As per The Wall Street Journal, the show will reportedly move to ABC and ESPN. Warner Bros. Discovery sued the league when it rejected its offer to match Amazon Prime Video’s offer. This came after the NBA announced its $77 billion deals with ESPN, Amazon Prime, and NBC.

Offering fans some relief, sources suggest that the show will retain its beloved panel of veteran analysts, including Shaquille O’Neal, Ernie Johnson, and Kenny Smith. This might come under a separate deal between WBD and ESPN. Meanwhile, TNT will retain a full package of regular-season and playoff games outside the U.S. It will also continue to hold rights to NBA TV and NBA.com. While this will be a big win for fans and veterans alike, the networks have yet to issue official statements.

Sir Charles’ comments are also awaited. The Phoenix Suns legend has often criticized ESPN’s workload system, calling it exhausting and unsustainable for him. Apart from the workload, Barkley has frequently voiced concerns about ESPN’s work culture. He has openly shared his reservations over the years.

Charles Barkley is disappointed over ESPN’s coverage of Dan Hurley

Such has been the case this year. The hunt for the Lakers’ head coach became a heated debate in the hoops world. ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski broke unexpected news that Dan Hurley might become the head coach for the Lakers, along with coverage of how Hurley could benefit the team. 

However, this happened on the morning before Game 1 of the NBA Finals. ESPN focusing on Hurley and the Lakers rather than the NBA Finals and Stanley Cup Finals frustrated Chuck. Appearing on OutKick’s Don’t @ Me with Dan Dakich, Chuck didn’t hesitate to criticize the broadcasters for their priorities. He felt ESPN should have prioritized the Finals over everything else.

“I’m like, what kind of idiots are running this network? I said, ‘that was crazy’…I just thought it was so stupid of ESPN yesterday just like, ‘Wait a minute, y’all got the biggest game of the NBA season coming on tonight. And y’all spent the first hour talking about if Dan Hurley goes to the Lakers,’” the Philadelphia 76ers legend said.

He also added, “I was so pissed yesterday, I had to turn my TV off…This is how stupid they are. Y’all got the Stanley Cup Finals and the NBA Finals and y’all talking about a team that’s irrelevant. And I’m like, whoever’s doing their programming has got to be the stupidest, most boneheaded people in the world.”

This isn’t the first time. Barkley has often been critical of the network’s programming decisions. We cannot forget Chuck’s harsh response to Kendrick Perkins for his comments.

Charles Barkley clapped back at Kendrick Perkins

ESPN analyst Kendrick Perkins was clearly upset over Charles Barkley’s comment on Team USA. The Philadelphia 76ers legend criticized Team USA’s performance in the Olympics, pointing out their struggles against Serbia in the semi-finals. However, Perkins disagreed with Barkley’s opinion, especially since Team USA ultimately won the gold medal. He clarified his stance in his comments.

Barkley, however, was quick to respond. He took a jab at Perkins’ career averages to counter his argument. “First of all, listen, don’t bring up a guy who averaged five points a game. I’m not gonna stoop to his level. You average five points a game. Shut the hell up!” Barkley argued.

The two networks’ heated debates have often spilled over to Inside the NBA as well. The ESPN analyst had much to say when both Shaquille O’Neal and Barkley dismissed the New York Knicks as strong NBA Finals contenders. Perkins went so far as to accuse both legends of not watching the games. He voiced his concerns on The Michael Kay Show. His accusations also swift responses from the NBA icons.

Well, apart from Barkley’s issues with the programming, he has always shown much love and respect for the analysts and the rival network. He has consistently refused the ideas or opportunities to work with ESPN. “ESPN Radio, ESPN2, ESPN Deportes. I mean, HELL NO! As much as I love ESPN, I just turned 61. The notion that I’m going to be working like a dog into my mid-60s, that’s definitely not going to happen,” Barkley told Jimmy Traina on the SI Media Podcast.

While there’s new hope and excitement surrounding Inside the NBA, it’s intriguing that the show is being positioned as a gift to ESPN.