Barkley would love to sign 'Inside the NBA' to his company, sell rights

With the future of "Inside the NBA" up in the air, Charles Barkley is mulling ideas on how to keep the crew together.

Barkley told "The Dan Patrick Show" on Thursday that he's spoken with his "Inside the NBA" co-hosts Ernie Johnson, Kenny Smith, and Shaquille O'Neal about signing them to his production company, Fine Line Productions, and selling the show to another network if TNT loses its NBA rights.

"I've talked to the guys about everybody signing with my production company, 'cause 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. Said, 'Why don't Charles Barkley sign these three guys, four guys total, to his production company and sell it?' I'm like, 'That's a great idea.' But like I say, we'll just sit back, waiting on these people to figure out what they're gonna do."

Barkley's remarks come one day after Sports Business Journal's Tom Friend reported that the NBA is "formalizing" media rights contracts with Disney, NBC, and Amazon, marking the end of the league's partnership with TNT's parent company, Warner Bros. Discovery.

"Inside the NBA" began in 1989 and has won numerous awards during its 35-year run, most recently earning the 2024 Sports Emmy for Outstanding Studio Show - Limited Run.