It is rumored that NBA executives plan to negotiate $7.4 billion annual broadcast deals with ESPN, NBC, and Amazon. Furthermore, this would be a serious setback for TNT. As talks go into the “final stage,” rumors state that the NBA is formalizing written contracts with each of the three corporations this week. Inside the NBA, fans who watch TNT are sure to be outraged by the news. The show, featuring Shaquille O’Neal, Charles Barkley, Kenny Smith, and Ernie Johnson as commentators, is reportedly set to end.
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Inside The NBA Is Likely At It’s End
The WNBA, first-round playoff games, and the In-Season Tournaments would all be included in Amazon’s contract. Furthermore, their deal is reportedly valued at up to $2 billion. It is anticipated that the deal’s final details will be worked out throughout the coming week. Charles Barkley has said of TNT potentially losing the NBA, “Barkley was a little less certain, adding: ‘It’d be sad (if the show ended). We don’t know… I hope it does (continue). Not just for me and Kenny, Ernie, and Shaq, but for the real people who work there, it sucks right now to be stressful.”
Fans have been grieving the iconic show’s likely demise by posting clips of their favorite moments on social media. When TNT’s contract runs out next season, it will definitely be the end of an era. Overall, this is sad news for NBA fans. Ultimately, Inside The NBA will continue to cover the NBA throughout the next season, so fans should be sure to cherish the iconic show while it’s still on.
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