TNT Sports will not acquire an NBA deal, that has jolted the world. After Charles Barkley‘s announcement of retirement, the jobs of several TNT members are in jeopardy. After all, Comcast-owned NBC offered twice what TNT pays the NBA. Despite the network’s troubled situation, ‘The Flash’ believes one factor in this change can benefit the players.

Why? Well, the NBA is close to making media rights deals with some of the most influential media companies in the world! As mentioned above, these deals include Amazon, ESPN, and NBC.

“I think going forward they would do that it’s going to be so much money in the pot and so it allows more money for everyone to do more things right uh so it’s going to be pretty cool to kind of watch you know these next ways of athletes I mean some guys going to make a billion dollars from basketball a billion dollars from a game of basketball,” Dwyane Wade said about the deal on the Wine Down podcast.

He explained how after the deal, there is a 10% increase made annually. And if a full 10% increase is made in the cap after the 2024-25 season when the new TV deals are in motion, there is bound to be an impressive increase in NBA salary. He further explained how this increase would also benefit the owners.

As the Miami Heat legend explained, it might not increase all at once, however, the chances are positive. While Jayson Tatum will likely sign a $300 million deal, there are also talks on the players signing a $400 million deal. In that case, Wade isn’t wrong about the claims even if it is disadvantageous for TNT Sports.

Charles Barkley’s retirement and issues with TNT

As per reports, NBC will pay $2.6 billion annually for their “B” package. On the other hand, Amazon will pay $2 billion for the in-season and play in tournament and WNBA while ESPN has offered to pay $2.8 billion. The situation is complicated for TNT Sports, which is unable to match these values. Furthermore, Warner Bros. doesn’t have nationwide over-the-air broadcasts while NBC has that advantage.

Barkley has always been vocal about his tension over the situation. In one of his interviews, the Philadelphia 76ers legend even urged the CEO of Warner Bros. Discovery, David Zaslav to make a decision on this as it concerns all the members in the company.

“I ain’t going nowhere other than TNT. But I have made the decision that no matter what happens, next year is going to be my last year on television,” the Phoenix Suns legend announced after Dallas Mavericks vs. Boston Celtics Game 4. While Shaquille O’Neal has been quiet on this, Reggie Miller also spoke about the possibility of leaving the network. Barkley has been a part of Inside the NBA show and crew, including Kenny Smith and Ernie Johnson, for more than 2 decades. While the deal certainly benefits the players as well as team owners, this may leave the fans’ cherished show in jeopardy. What are your thoughts on this?

Stay tuned for more such updates, and to follow what Shaq’s ex-agent, Leonard Armato, has to say about the Reese-Clark rivalry and more, watch this video.