Charles Barkley ‘Worried’ for Inside the NBA’s Future after ESPN Pilot Run

Charles Barkley and his Inside the NBA crew are still trying to figure out how they will work with ESPN without exclusive rights.

Charles Barkley ‘Worried’ for Inside the NBA’s Future after ESPN Pilot Run

Inside the NBA's Charles Barkley (Image via FirstSportz)

Charles Barkley and the crew of Inside the NBA are no longer going to be a part of TNT’s official broadcasting schedule. The show will still be produced at the network’s studios in Atlanta. However, ESPN will not broadcast the show for the foreseeable future.

This came about after TNT first did not show interest in bidding for the NBA media rights deal, and then bowed to public demand and tried to bid for one exclusive slot, but ended up losing their bid. That meant the show would have to wind up, and Barkley and his colleague would have to find other jobs.

Whether it was with TNT’s other shows or with different platforms, Barkley was annoyed that his crew would lose their jobs. Eventually, ESPN’s deal with TNT saved all those jobs and the show. That came as a relief for the Hall of Famer as well as basketball fans.

However, the 62-year-old has stated a while ago that he and his crew have no idea how the show will look when it starts next season. While speaking with Dan Patrick on his podcast, the Philadelphia 76ers great gave an update on that situation.

We taped a pilot about a month ago, and it was the stupidest s**t I’ve ever seen in my life…. We’re probably going to work on ESPN one-third or half the time. But they’re trying to do something stupid at TNT.

Charles Barkley said

Charles Barkley revealed that TNT admitted their pilot run was a disaster. Considering how they were just talking about basketball for one and a half hours, the show was not how they hoped it would be. They are struggling to figure out how to make it as exciting as it has been for more than three decades.

Charles Barkley reveals his concerns about how Inside the NBA would run

When Dan Patrick heard this, he asked the former league MVP why it seemed as if the show would struggle when it goes on ESPN. Barkley noted down two major problems the show will face until a solution is found.

No. 1, we won’t have basketball highlights. But also, we’re probably gonna be going up against an NBA game. And anybody who likes basketball, they’re not gonna say, ‘Hey, you know what? Let me turn off an NBA game that’s on Amazon, ESPN, or NBC to go watch these four dudes sit around and talk about nothing.

Charles Barkley said

The Round Mound of Rebound believes the crew has to figure out how to work around these two problems. Otherwise, the show will be doomed from day one. The lack of exclusive rights means they cannot also name their show as part of the NBA.

ESPN might be able to solve the problem of the lack of exclusive highlights. However, scheduling the show around their already tightly packed arsenal of shows will be a different challenge. Then there is the part where ESPN has to keep the quartet of Barkley, Shaquille O’Neal, Kenny Smith, and Ernie Johnson happy.

Charles Barkley reiterates his retirement plans

On another appearance on the Dan Patrick Show, Charles Barkley reiterated that he would not work as per ESPN’s infamous schedule. He is staying with the show just because he wants the entire crew to have a job. On this appearance, he revealed how he is going to go through his contract.

Charles Barkley's retirement postponed by 2 years
Charles Barkley’s retirement postponed by 2 years (Image via Open Source/X)

I actually have seven years left on my contract, there’s no way I’m going to work for seven years. I’m gonna be a good soldier for Kenny, Ernie, and Shaq, and the people I work with…but the best I can do is two years. Them other 5 years there is no chance of happening.

Charles Barkley said

With this, the Hall of Famer confirms that he will walk away from his broadcasting career after the 2026-27 season. It is two years removed from his original plan. However, it is fine with it, considering he essentially helped his crew continue to keep their jobs.

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