Charles Barkley breaks silence on Inside the NBA facing ax and live TV rights being stolen by NBC from TNT

CHARLES Barkley is worried that up to 200 people could lose their jobs if TNT Sports’ Inside the NBA is shut down.

NBA chiefs are in talks with broadcasters over TV deals for the 2025 season and beyond.

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Reports have suggested that broadcast rival NBC is poised to snag the rights and produce its own Sunday night show.

And that could mean the end of the popular Inside the NBA offering.

“It sucks right now, for the people I work with,” said Barkley, 61, SiriusXM. “There’s nothing I can say – I’m worried about everyone I work with.

“I really feel bad, man. Because 200 people will probably lose their jobs internally if we lose the NBA.”

Barkley appears alongside Shaquille O’Neal, Kenny Smith and Ernie Johnson on TNT.

He says he could change stations, but he feels Johnson won’t follow suit.

“I don’t want to lie to you, I know Ernie wouldn’t go anywhere else – he’s almost 70, I think he’s going to retire sooner or later,” Barkley added.

“I don’t know what will happen with Amazon, ESPN or if we will lose to NBC.

“I’m not sure how to answer that question, honestly. I just don’t know.

“Ernie wouldn’t go to another network. I’m sure of that. I would listen before making any decisions.”

Asked for his initial reaction, Barkley had a glowing response.

“Damn, can I play more golf?” Barkley joked: “I just turned 61, I have enough money. I don’t even see it as a dismissal.

“What am I thinking right now? Please hurry up and get the Western Conference Finals over with because I get to play golf every day for the next four months and I love it, man.

“I play golf every day or go fishing – I love doing nothing.”

Barkley made it clear he has an opt-out in his contract for this exact scenario.

“I covered my ass to be honest with you,” he said.

“I just signed a 10-year contract two years ago, but one of the things I did was opt out in a couple of years because I wanted to protect myself when it came to this situation.”

Inside the NBA won three Sports Emmys last night.

Its post-season edition won Outstanding Studio Show – Limited Run, while Barkley won Outstanding Studio Analyst and Johnson won Outstanding Studio Host.

“I’m so grateful for this,” Johnson said in an emotional acceptance speech. “We can all be grateful for what we do.

“Who in this room doesn’t consider what they have as their initial work?

“We can do it. I work with Kenny, Chuck and Shaq.

“I am grateful for this family at TNT. I have been with this company for thirty-five years.

“I will work with you. And I will be forever grateful for that.”