TNT Sports in Major Broadcast Change That Will Affect College Football Playoff in New Five-Year Mega-Contract

COLLEGE Football Playoff games are coming to TNT Sports.

The Warner Bros.-owned network Discovery has reportedly reached a sublicensing deal with ESPN to add CFP to its portfolio.

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The agreement is for five years and will begin next season, according to AtléticoIt’s Andrew Marchand.

TNT Sports and Max – WBD’s streaming platform – will show two first round games in the first two campaigns, according to the report.

During the following three seasons, they will broadcast two first-round clashes and two quarter-finals.

Marchand added that the deal could be expanded to include more games.

The sublicensed CFP games will feature the TNT Sports brand, although they will be produced by ESPN and announced by ESPN talent.

However, TNT will be able to produce its own programming around them.

WBD’s move to CFP programming is not related to difficult negotiations with the NBA over a new television rights deal, Marchand reported.

NBC is believed to be nearing a deal with the league to snatch the current package of games from TNT.

That would mean the end of TNT’s 30-plus year relationship with the Association after the 2024-25 season — and likely the end of the iconic Inside the NBA program.

The situation could end in a legal battle due to an alleged disagreement between TNT and the NBA over the media giant’s right to match a rival broadcaster’s offer.

NBC is said to be ready to pay around $2.5 billion for a game package.

ESPN is believed to have tentatively agreed a $2.6 billion deal with the league, while Amazon Prime Video will pay around $1.8 billion for TV rights.

Within the NBA, Charles Barkley recently expressed concern that up to 200 WBD employees could lose their jobs if the NBA leaves TNT.

“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 also reiterated that a TNT-NBA split would likely mean the end of Inside the NBA because host Ernie Johnson is unlikely to move to another network.

“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 said.

“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.”