Jun 12, 2024; Dallas, Texas, USA; NBA TV analyst Charles Barkley talks on set before game three of the 2024 NBA Finals between the Boston Celtics and the Dallas Mavericks at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images

Sixers Legend Charles Barkley Opens up on 'Complicated' TV Future

Originally posted on Philadelphia 76ers on SI
By Kevin McCormick | Last updated Jun 3, 2025 9:11 AM ET

For the past 25 years, Philadelphia 76ers legend Charles Barkley has been a staple on the hit TV show 'Inside the NBA.' As he prepares for a new chapter of his career, the Hall of Famer gave his blunt thoughts on the changes ahead.

Next year, the NBA will be starting its new media rights deal. Along with new networks joining the mix of basketball coverage, TNT is among those who will no longer be airing games. This led to many wondering what will happen with Inside the NBA. ESPN eventually put an end to all the speculation, securing a deal to keep the show on the air.

On Monday morning, Barkley was a guest on 'The Dan Patrick Show' to discuss an array of topics. Seeing that Inside the NBA's final episode aired over the weekend, the future of the program was a major talking point. When the impending move to ESPN was brought up, Barkley seemed far from pleased with the whole situation.

"If they're being honest, we'll probably only gonna work on ESPN one third or half the time," Barkley said. "But they're trying to do something stupid at TNT...It's complicated."

"We taped a pilot about a month ago, and it was the stupidest s**t I've ever seen in my life."

– Charles Barkley discusses the plan for Inside the NBA on TNT, despite not having the rights to NBA footage. pic.twitter.com/bdZwOza2Nn
— Dan Patrick Show (@dpshow) June 2, 2025

Though Barkley isn't thrilled with what's ahead, the show is surely to still be a hit once it's on the ESPN airwaves. The hosts have built up a great bond over the years, which has always given the program a one-of-a-kind feel. Growing pains could happen with a new network, but the group's track record proves they are capable of putting on a good show.

As of now, it is unclear on what the schedule for Inside the NBA will be like on ESPN.

This article first appeared on Philadelphia 76ers on SI and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: