Charles Barkley Slams ESPN Business Strategy, Explains Why Stephen A. Smith’s Employer Can’t Keep Up With TNT

Charles Barkley seems to be at a crossroads in life. Almost oxymoronic when he thanked the NBA network at the end of Game 4 of the NBA final that he would call it a day from the broadcasting industry after the 2024-25 season, only to change his mind about how he would only be “stupid enough” to not consider what Amazon has to offer just a month later. There hasn’t been any buzz around a possible switch, but for now, Chuck isn’t wasting a second’s time to rip one or too many off of ESPN. At the very least, one can safely say Chuck, a free agent at 61, isn’t feeling warmer about joining ESPN as a prospect.

With ‘NBA on TNT’ coming to an end following the 2024-25 season, fans are likely going to miss its famous segments, such as Shaqtin’ a Fool, EJ’s Neat-o-Stat of the Night, and others. It is quite unfortunate to see the league picking other streaming platforms, but it would still be a hard sell, considering on-screen chemistry takes a while for any show to pick up pace. And that is exactly what ESPN’s strategies have evaded in practice, as per Barkley. In Podcast P with Paul George episode from Monday, Chuck was asked a question, “Chuck, do you ever think anyone would ever be able to replicate the success and popularity of the NBA on TNT?”

Barkley responded, “Great question. I don’t know if anybody ever gives it a chance, to be honest with you. You know, ESPN, which I love, they never give anybody a chance to get in a chemistry. They’re all just kind of throwing stuff at the wall like let’s put this group together.

“And then do that for like 6 months to a year. Then they’re like it didn’t work. Well, you didn’t give it a chance to work. I don’t think, you know, it’s even to say, after 24 years of how great our show has been, and I can’t remember… I’m pretty sure we had some rocky roads in the beginning… when Shaq first came on.

Because it’s always an adjustment. Because we started out with Ernie [Johnson Jr] and Kenny [Smith]. Then, I came on, and we were kinda like, ‘Let’s figure it out.’ But they didn’t say, ‘Hey! You guys got 6 months to a year. No, hey, let’s keep working,” said Chuck. ESPN does have a history of laying off certain members as they did last year, too. Stephen A. Smith, who has been the face of ESPN, famously had some of the employees removed, such as Max Kellerman.

Remember when Barkley was compelled to switch his TV off after flagging ESPN’s NBA finals coverage as irrelevant? Yes, that happened. Apparently, tons of commercials and only a few minutes dedicated to analyzing Game 1 (June 7) of the finals had already pushed fans to their wits’ end. Chuck wasn’t one to back off and called out ESPN hosts on grounds of spending several minutes talking about UConn’s current HC Dan Hurley’s then-rumored move to the Lakers. Chuck didn’t twitch twice before thrashing the hosts as “the stupidest, most boneheaded people,”

“I’m not going to lie. I love being Dan Hurley. This has nothing to do with being Hurley and good luck with him if you go to the Lakers […] I was so pissed yesterday I had to turn my TV off. I’m not going to lie. I’m like this is how stupid they are. Y’all got The Stanley Cup finals and the NBA finals and y’all talk about a team, that’s irrelevant.”

To a certain point, ESPN would need a roster that can work in the long run. And this will only be possible if they are willing to give their new analysts time to settle in and build chemistry with others on their various shows. Nevertheless, the last season of NBA on TNT will definitely be a bittersweet year.

Charles Barkley knew TNT never had a fighting chance

It will definitely be a bittersweet year for the show and its fans. However, Barkley only wants the best for the fans before they leave. On his Instagram, Chuck posted a moving revelation.

“Clearly the NBA has wanted to break up with us from the beginning. I’m not sure TNT ever had a chance. TNT matched the money, but the league knows Amazon and other tech companies are the only ones willing to pay for the rights when they double in the future. The NBA didn’t want to pi** them off.

“It’s a sad day when owners and commissioners choose money over the fans. It just sucks.

“I just want to thank everyone who has been at Turner for the last 24 years… I also want to thank the NBA and its fans- the best fans in sports. We’re going to give you everything we have next season,” said Barkley.

Shaq, Ernie, Kenny, and company will be missed and of course, the very last episode of the show is going to be is going to be one of the most memorable ones. It will be interesting to see the Crew deliver their last season this fall. What are your thoughts on Chuck’s opinion on ESPN? Do you think there will ever be a replica of this show? Let us know in the comments.

Feel that you can do with another update from the sport of basketball? Then do check out this recent interview with the up-and-coming Georgia Lady Bulldogs star Asia Avinger.