Subhi Agrawal
Following the NBA’s new media rights deal with ESPN/ABC, NBCU, and Amazon Prime Video, a $76 billion, 11-year contract, Carmelo Anthony conveyed his regret over the end of “Inside the NBA.” He believed it was unfair to abruptly end the partnership with TNT, which played a crucial role in building the NBA brand. The media rights agreement begins with the 2025-26 season and represents an increase of 160% per season compared to the current contract
“We don’t have a shot to keep this going after 10 years”
In an episode of “7 PM in Brooklyn with Carmelo Anthony & Kid Mero,” Anthony criticized the league’s executives for the decision to part away from TNT.
“Even if the contract is up, let’s sit and talk about how we can move this somewhere else. But I honestly blame the higher-ups for that, man,” Carmelo Anthony said.
“You can’t be here with us all this time creating this and building this property, and then we’re not being told what’s happening here, like, we don’t have a shot to keep this going after 10 years.”
Who is Carmelo Anthony?
Carmelo Kyam Anthony was born on May 29, 1984, an American former professional basketball player. He was part of 19 seasons in the National Basketball Association (NBA) and was named an NBA All-Star ten times and an All-NBA Team member six times.
Moreover, Anthony played college basketball for the Syracuse Orange and won a national championship in 2003 as a freshman. In addition, he was also named to the NBA 75th Anniversary Team in 2021 and is regarded as one of the greatest scorers in NBA history.
“How can you exclude us from what’s happening?”
Losing NBA rights is a major setback to TNT, which has been broadcasting the league since 1988.
The network’s iconic “Inside the NBA” show, featuring Charles Barkley, Shaquille O’Neal, Kenny Smith, and Ernie Johnson, is now at risk.
“I would be upset too if I was Charles Barkley…We built this s**t. We created what’s ‘Inside the NBA.’ We created the vibes and what everybody goes to. They’re not going to ESPN for this right here. They’re part of the brand, so how can you exclude us out of what’s happening?” Anthony said.
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