$19 Billion Worth Co. Suffers Massive Decline as Shaq and Charles Barkley’s Inside the NBA Future Hangs by a Thread

In November 2022, Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav said, “We don’t have to have NBA.” This was reported by Joe Flint of The Wall Street Journal during the Milken Institute Global Conference in California. However, the new reports suggest that TNT is fighting tooth and nail to keep the league and also the fan-favorite show Inside the NBA. Shaq and Charles Barkley have been unsure of their future ever since.

As per the reports, NBC has prepared a $2.5-billion-a-year bid to pluck NBA rights from TNT. There are reportedly three packages in the deal. ESPN has retained package A with marquee rights to the finals as the primary sports broadcaster for the NBA. The battle between TNT and its rivals is for package B or the less desirable package C. Package B includes every other conference final. Doubling their annual compensation to the NBA for a less lucrative deal would make it difficult to retain top-paid analysts of Inside the NBA.

The stock price plummeted to $7.77 per share yesterday. Warner Bros. Discovery’s financial sheet seems to have taken a hit during the past year. Its market cap has decreased by -33.28% in one year, currently valued at $19.75 billion as of May 23, 2024. Shaq and Co. also got support from their rival analyst.

On his YouTube Channel, Stephen A. Smith emphasized and supported that the show must go on. “I know television and I know that I don’t give a damn what network you are. If you have an opportunity to have Charles Barkley, Shaquille O’Neal, and Kenny Smith together you do not break that up,” stated the veteran sportscaster. But would the crew stay together? Would the other networks listen to Smith’s comments and make the move?

What about the future of Inside the NBA?

Earlier on 30th April the stock dropped nearly 10% and ended the day at $7.36. It was an all-time low for WBD, the parent company of CNN. Barkley had revealed Ernie Johnson’s status as he hinted at his retirement. Johnson prefers staying at Turner rather than moving away to any new network.

Barkley has hinted at retirement but also suggested he would listen to the offers and then decide his future. Shaq posted a cryptic message later on his social media account, saying “Humble enough to know I can be replaced, but wise enough to know ain’t nobody else like me”. But he has yet to officially speak on this matter like Kenny Smith.

The last few hours have been heartbreaking for the fans of Inside the NBA, as reports have revealed the ultimate answer on whether they will continue for the upcoming seasons. Although Turner Sports has not released an official statement yet, it is likely they have not matched the demanded offer.