2 Trillion Dollar Giant’s Threats Forces 76ers Legend to Contemplate Future With Shaquille O’Neal and Elite Network

The NBA landscape and how it’s viewed is changing. Charles Barkley has witnessed the modernizing of the league since he went from a pro to a broadcaster. He’s currently the mainstay on TNT’s Inside the NBA panel and a big part of the show’s success. But Barkley knows better than to be secure in his current on-air success. And he knows his employers aren’t either.

Reigning sportscasting giants like TNT and ESPN are feeling the threat of new players entering the NBA scene. Barkley revealed what that could mean for his broadcasting future and how this could change basketball viewing on the podcast, SI Media with Jimmy Traina.

Charles Barkley discloses what’s threatening his employer

While on the Sports Illustrated podcast, Charles Barkley discussed his 10-year contract with Warner Bros which keeps him on TNT’s Inside the NBA for the foreseeable future. He currently hosts the show alongside Ernie Johnson, Kenny Smith and Shaquille O’Neal. Barkley claims that he can guarantee at least a couple of years with the same lineup.

But Barkley stopped short of talking about the future of the NBA after two years because of many variables. A big part of it is because of new broadcasting players entering the scene.

From growing up as a young basketball fan, to playing the NBA, to entering the broadcasting studio, Barkley has seen how the business has changed. Magic Johnson shifted NBA broadcasts from “tape delay” to primetime television. Michael Jordan ushered in a new era where different broadcasters competed for NBA broadcasting rights. Barkley and other players benefited from NBA games airing nationally.

Now streaming giants like Amazon and Apple are attempting to make an exclusive space in NBA broadcasts. Existing sports media houses like TNT and ESPN are wary of the competition. Barkley acknowledged it too.

“The next two years are going to be very interesting with the Apple situation, the Amazon situation. Because I know Turner is nervous, I know ESPN is nervous that Apple and Amazon are gonna come in and take some or all of the NBA packages.” 

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While Barkley will stay at least two years on his current contract, he said Apple and Amazon could alter his decision after that deadline. He hinted he could retire from sportscasting before his contract is up or jump ship. “That’s really the next time I’m gonna have to make a major decision,” he told Traina.

Barkley doesn’t see a solo ‘Inside Guy’ career

Barkley spoke the truth that, “The whole sports landscape in the NBA is gonna change in the next two years when Apple and Amazon start bidding on the NBA properties.” Both streaming giants have expressed interest in having an NBA media package on their sports catalog. There’s heavy speculation they might poach commentators like Barkley.

But a lot of fans would agree the ‘Inside Guys’ are the best together. So Traina asked about the possibility of competing broadcasters trying to get all four hosts on board or would Barkley consider flying solo. The NBA legend wasn’t ambiguous about that.

“I wouldn’t go by myself,” Barkley stated, “And I would find it hard to go with Ernie.” He reiterated that all four of them are close friends, but Ernie is the heart of the show. For that reason, Barkley didn’t discount considering a new broadcast home if they were considering all four of them as a package deal.

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But that’s a discussion for the distant future. Barkley is going to remain an ‘Inside Guy’ for the next two years for sure. Are you concerned about the Inside Guys breaking up? Share your thoughts in the comments!