Imagine letting go of an Emmy winner.
Several NBA players have fumbled the bag by rejecting a massive contract, and Warner Bros. is about to do the same thing with how they are dealing with its sports show "Inside the NBA."
The NBA restructured its media rights and is reportedly handing out deals with three of the biggest media companies in the world - Disney/ESPN, NBC, and Amazon.
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TNT, home of the show hosted by NBA greats Shaquille O'Neal and Charles Barkley together with Ernie Johnson and Kenny Smith, is not part of any of those three, but Warner Bros. still has a chance to save the show.
However, Warner has no plans to do that. It was reported that they are willing to drop "Inside the NBA" because they are coming for TV rights on College Football Playoff games instead.
Barkley said the situation is all because of their "clown bosses" who do not care about the show and the employees.
"Morale sucks, plain and simple. I just feel so bad for the people I work with, Dan. These people have families and I just really feel bad for them right now," the NBA Hall of Fame member said during an appearance at The Dan Patrick Show.
"These people I work with, they screwed this thing up, clearly, and we don't have zero idea what's gonna happen. I don't feel good. I'm not gonna lie, especially when they came out yesterday and said we bought college football. I was like, well, damn, they could have used that money to buy the NBA."
Charles Barkley calls Warner Bros. bosses clowns
Barkley regrets what's happening to his 35-year-old show and is furious about the bosses who would do anything.
He specifically called out WBD CEO David Zaslav for being a clown for dismissing the NBA.
"[He] came out and said, 'We don't need the NBA' ... that probably pissed Adam [Silver] off ... but the people who work there ... we need it."
The ending of "Inside the NBA" abruptly leaves a bitter taste in the mouths of the hosts and the fans.
It is home not just to sound analysis but also to great comic skis and viral moments.
'Inside the NBA' new home could be right there all along
Fans should not lose hope, though. If no deal is ever made between WB and NBA, Barkley said he is willing to adopt the show, including its hosts.
"I've talked to the guys about everybody signing with my production company, because I have my own production company, and I would love to do that if we lose it," Barkley said.
"Actually, somebody suggested that to me, to be honest with you, on the internet. Why don't Charles Barkley sign these three guys, four guys total, it's his production company, and sell it? I'm like, that's a great idea."
The biggest obstacle is that there might be a new cast, as each of the host members already has plans.
Ernie Johnson plans to stay with TNT while Shaq is already contemplating retirement.
"Inside the NBA" will be different without any one of them.
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