Charles Barkley will both stay with TNT Sports activities on his 10-year, $210 million contract or he’ll hearken to gives from ESPN, NBC and Amazon Prime Video as he reconsiders retirement, he advised The Athletic on Friday.
“My deal is 10 years, $210 million,” Barkley mentioned in a telephone interview. “Turner has to return to me ASAP they usually have to ensure my complete factor or they will supply me a pay minimize, which there isn’t a probability of that taking place and I’ll be (a) free agent.
“My factor was, ‘Wait, y’all f— up, I didn’t f— up, why do I’ve to take a pay minimize?”
Barkley is within the third yr of his deal.
The NBA introduced this week new offers price a complete of $77 billion over 11 years with incumbent ESPN and newcomers NBC and Amazon. Within the course of, the NBA rejected TNT Sports activities’ matching rights. TNT Sports activities filed a swimsuit in opposition to the league in hopes of taking on Amazon’s deal, it introduced Friday.
“I wouldn’t need them to sue,” Barkley mentioned. “The NBA clearly needed to interrupt up with us. I don’t wish to be in a relationship the place I’ve to sue any individual to be in it. That makes zero sense.
“If you need to sue any individual to remain in a relationship, do you assume that could be a wholesome relationship?”
TNT Sports activities assertion on NBA media rights: pic.twitter.com/C14DPCJ65P
— TNT Sports activities U.S. PR (@TNTSportsUS) July 26, 2024
Earlier Friday, Barkley launched an announcement by Bleacher Report saying that he didn’t really feel the NBA needed to do a cope with TNT Sports activities, which has had a relationship with the league for practically 4 a long time.
“It’s going to all go to streaming in 11 years,” Barkley advised The Athletic. “I feel that is only a money seize, however they wanted streaming as a result of in 11 years no one’s going to have the ability to afford these rights however streaming.
“They’re type of getting their cake and consuming it, too. They acquired ESPN and NBC they usually acquired streaming.”
Throughout the NBA Finals, Barkley, 61, mentioned he deliberate to retire. He’s not absolutely backing off these statements, however his ears might be open if he isn’t paid in full by TNT Sports activities.
Barkley mentioned he has talked with ESPN, NBC and Amazon for the final couple of months.
“Proper now, I’m planning on retiring,” Barkley mentioned. “I’m not making an attempt to do something.”
GO DEEPER
Marchand: Charles Barkley says he is retiring, however this story does not really feel over
Barkley mentioned he could be “silly” to not pay attention and knowledgeable the entities of his plans, however he needed them to have their packages squared away.
“However from a compensation standpoint, I mentioned, ‘I’ll sit down and see what y’all are going to have going ahead,’” Barkley mentioned. “I’ve been straight sincere with all the businesses.”
Barkely mentioned he’s nonetheless hesitant to not have his complete “Contained in the NBA” crew, together with host Ernie Johnson and co-analysts Shaquille O’Neal and Kenny Smith, plus the behind-the-scenes TNT folks he adores. He expects subsequent yr, its remaining season, to be particular.
“We’re going to exit with a bang,” Barkley mentioned.
Barkley mentioned Johnson received’t go to a brand new community, whereas he has not checked in on O’Neal’s or Smith’s plans. The Athletic was advised from sources briefed on the opposite networks’ plans that they might supply to let Barkley and the total crew, together with Johnson, the possibility to stay in Atlanta and do the identical present.
“Every part remains to be on the desk,” Barkley mentioned.
Barkley reiterated the folks he actually feels unhealthy for on this complete state of affairs are those behind the scenes who aren’t making tens of millions.
“I really feel unhealthy for the folks I work with,” Barkley mentioned. “A whole lot of good folks will lose their jobs. I’ve to provide TNT credit score, they tried every little thing to attempt to keep within the relationship, however the NBA needed to maneuver on. It’s that straightforward.”
Required studying
(Picture: Steven Freeman / NBAE through Getty Photos)