Charles Barkley, the outspoken NBA analyst and former player, has raised concerns about the potential shift to streaming for NBA games in the upcoming media rights deal. As contracts are being finalized, media giants like NBCUniversal and Amazon are in talks with the league, potentially leaving longtime broadcaster TNT on the outside looking in.
Barkley, who has been a fixture on TNT’s “Inside the NBA” for nearly 25 years, expressed his disapproval of the move towards streaming, citing concerns about accessibility for fans who may not be able to afford streaming services. He criticized the focus on maximizing profits at the expense of the regular fan.
The NBA recently agreed to new media deals worth an estimated $76 billion over 11 years, with potential partners including Disney/ESPN, NBC, and Amazon. This could mean a significant shift in how fans consume NBA games in the future.
As Barkley prepares for his final season as an analyst, the future of NBA broadcasting remains uncertain, with the landscape of sports media evolving rapidly. Stay tuned for updates on this developing story.
