Charles Barkley criticizes new NBA media rights deal

Hall of Famer says the fragmented coverage makes it difficult for fans to find games

Published on Feb. 28, 2026

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Charles Barkley, the Basketball Hall of Famer and longtime NBA analyst, has criticized the league's new 11-year, $77 billion media rights deal, saying it has made it too difficult for fans to find and watch games. The deal has spread NBA games across ESPN/ABC, NBC/Peacock, and Amazon Prime Video, leading Barkley to argue that the league has done a "disservice to the fans" by making the games less accessible.

Why it matters

The NBA's new media rights deal is a major shift in how fans can access games, moving away from the traditional model of national broadcasts on TNT and ESPN. Barkley's criticism highlights concerns that the fragmented coverage could alienate casual fans and make it harder for the league to grow its audience.

The details

Under the new 11-year deal that began this season, NBA games are now spread across ESPN/ABC, NBC/Peacock, and Amazon Prime Video. This is a departure from the previous model where TNT and ESPN shared the bulk of nationally televised games. Barkley, who co-hosts the popular 'Inside the NBA' show on TNT, argued that the new setup makes it difficult for fans to know when and where games are being broadcast.

  • The new NBA media rights deal was signed in July 2024 and kicked in for the 2026 season.

The players

Charles Barkley

A Basketball Hall of Famer and longtime NBA analyst who has been critical of the league's new media rights deal.

Michael Wilbon

Co-host of the ESPN show 'Pardon the Interruption' where Barkley voiced his criticism.

Tony Kornheiser

Co-host of the ESPN show 'Pardon the Interruption' where Barkley voiced his criticism.

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What they’re saying

“It is so difficult for fans to find the games now. I think we've done a disservice to the fans and to the game. We've got to find a way to let the fans know. Because the fans are the backbone, and we want to support these networks.”

— Charles Barkley (Pardon the Interruption)

“We've got to be very careful because we've got an 11-year deal, and it's a team deal. The players are gonna be successful, but we want the networks to be successful also.”

— Charles Barkley (Pardon the Interruption)

What’s next

The NBA and its media partners will likely need to focus on improving fan accessibility and awareness of where games are being broadcast in order to maintain engagement under the new rights deal.

The takeaway

Barkley's criticism highlights the potential risks of the NBA's fragmented media rights strategy, which could alienate casual fans and make it harder for the league to grow its audience in the long run. The league and its partners will need to prioritize fan experience to ensure the new deal is a success.