'Inside the NBA' host Charles Barkley hints split with league was inevitable: 'Not sure TNT ever had a chance'

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Despite being one of the league's media partners for the past few decades, TNT's parent company, Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) has lost its broadcasting rights deal to competitors. 

On Wednesday, the NBA rejected a bid for WBD to exercise its right to match an offer from Amazon for a part of the league's 11-year, $76 billion media rights deal. 

Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Famer and longtime co-host of TNT's popular "Inside the NBA" studio program Charles Barkley, reacted to the company's failed attempt to renew media rights. 

Barkley suggested that the company he works for was always at a disadvantage because the NBA was focused on working out deals with Amazon due to the amount of money the streaming giant could bring to the table.

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Charles Barkley on air before the NCAA Mens Basketball Tournament Final Four championship game between the Connecticut Huskies and the San Diego State Aztecs at NRG Stadium on April 3, 2023 in Houston. (Mitchell Layton/Getty Images)

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

The outspoken TV analyst accused NBA leadership and team owners of doing a disservice to basketball fans.

NBA REJECTS WARNER BROS. DISCOVERY MEDIA RIGHTS BID; TNT BROADCASTS TO LIKELY CEASE AFTER NEXT SEASON

"It's a sad day when owners and commissioners choose money over the fans. It