Charles Barkley Slams NBA's New TV Deal, 'It's A Sad Day'

Charles Barkley is breaking his silence on the NBA's new broadcasting deal.

In a statement released on Instagram, the former NBA player and current "Inside the NBA" analyst shared his unfiltered thoughts on the NBA choosing to move forward with Amazon Prime Video's offer for broadcasting rights beginning with the 2025-26 season.

Earlier this week, the NBA announced its intention to enter into a long-term agreement with Amazon. They stated that Warner Bros. Discovery failed to match Amazon's media rights offer, which means the end is near for the beloved "Inside the NBA" that airs on TNT.

Barkley, one of the show's hosts, along with Shaquille O'Neal, Ernie Johnson, and Kenny Smith, shared his thoughts on the new deal in a statement posted on his Instagram page.

"Clearly the NBA has wanted to break up with us from the beginning," Barkley started his statement. "I'm not sure TNT ever had a chance."

The former NBA star's statement continued to go deeper into his thoughts.

"TNT matched the money, but the league knows Amazon and these tech companies are the only ones willing to pay for the rights when they double in the future. The NBA didn't want to p-ss them off," he explained.

"It's a sad day when owners and commissioners choose money over the fans. It just sucks."

He concluded his statement by thanking everyone at Turner, as well as the fans.

"I just want to thank everyone who has been at Turner for the last 24 years. They are the best people and the most talented and they deserve better," he shared. "I also want to thank the NBA and its fans - the best fans in sports. We're going to give you everything we have next season."

Many fans shared their thoughts on losing the Emmy-award-winning show after the next NBA season in the comment section of Barkley's statement on Instagram.

"I can’t BELIEVE they’re letting this happen. There are nights I only watch the game to see you guys. You’re all universally beloved!" one fan wrote. Another added, "Greatest studio show in sports television history. There will never be another like it."

And there were many more comments with the same somber vibe.

"The NBA will never be the same after next season smh," one fan shared. One other said, "You guys are the best and have brought me so many years of happiness and laughter. This was a huge mistake for the NBA."

While this new deal doesn't go into effect until the 2025-26 NBA season, many may be wondering what lies ahead for fans.

All of the NBA's nationally televised games from the 2025-26 season through the 2035-36 season will be aired on Disney (ABC and ESPN), Comcast (NBA and Peacock), and Amazon.

Beginning in the 2025-26 season, there will be nationally televised games every day of the week.

• Monday: Peacock
• Tuesday: NBC
• Wednesday: ESPN
• Thursday: Amazon (will begin airing prime-time games in January after "Thursday Night Football" ends
• Friday: Amazon (with an occasional game on ESPN)
• Saturday: ABC (with Amazon occasionally airing afternoon games)
• Sunday: NBC (after "Sunday Night Football" ends in January)

So it appears that NBA fans will have to subscribe to multiple streaming platforms if they want to watch all games.

There's no denying that NBA fans love watching "Inside the NBA" and the fun chemistry between the four hosts.

A recently shared video on Instagram had fans chatting in the comments about how much they will miss the show.

"Can’t imagine watching the NBA without this crew being involved!!! They are 1 of a kind and in my opinion the best at what they do!!! I really hope they are in the new deal and we as fans get to continue to watch their greatness with the NBA," one person wrote.

Another person shared, "I am not even an NBA fan but I love this studio show. They are so funny."

Some are holding onto hope that maybe somehow the show can be saved.

"This show is just too precious to discontinue. I'm sure they can figure it out, just some paperwork to figure out," one fan wrote. Another added, "There is no way that this, 'show can’t go on.' It MUST go on, 'by any means necessary!' We The People, say so."