NBA chiefs are in talks with broadcasters over TV deals for the 2025 season onwards.

Charles Barkley has spoken out on Inside the NBA’s futureCredit: Getty

TNT could lose the rights to broadcast the NBACredit: Getty

Reports have suggested that broadcast rival NBC is set to land the rights and produce its own Sunday night show.

And that could spell the end for popular offering Inside the NBA.

“It sucks right now, for the people I work with,” Barkley, 61, told Sirius XM. “There’s nothing I can say – I am worried about all the people I work with.

“I really feel bad, man. Because 200 people are probably going to lose their jobs internally if we lose the NBA.”

Barkley features alongside Shaquille O’Neal, Kenny Smith and Ernie Johnson on TNT.

He says he could switch broadcasters but feels Johnson will not follow him.

“I don’t want to lie to you, I know Ernie would not go anywhere else – he’s almost 70 years old, I think he’s going to retire sooner than later,” Barkley added.

“I don’t know what’s going to happen to Amazon, ESPN or if we lose it to NBC.

“I’m not sure how to answer that question, honestly. I just don’t know.

“Ernie would not go to another network. I’m damn sure about that. I would listen before I made any decisions.”

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Asked about his initial reaction, Barkley had a brilliant response.

“Damn I get to play more golf?’ Barkley joked. “I just turned 61, I have enough money. I don’t even look at it as getting fired.

“What am I thinking right now? Please hurry up and get this Western Conference finals over because I can play golf every day for the next four months and I love it man.

“I play golf every single day or I go fishing – I love doing nothing.”

Barkley has made it known he has an opt out in his contract for this exact scenario.

Inside the NBA’s future?

Inside the NBA’s run on TNT Sports is in doubt due to the NBA’s broadcasting deals.

The Emmy-winning sports show is a fan favorite thanks to the likes of Shaquille O’Neal and Charles Barkley.

But TNT’s broadcast deal with the NBA is up after next season and NBC is lining up a bid to take those rights.

If TNT loses its NBA package, it raises questions over the popular Inside the NBA.

One solution could be to recreate the show on another network, which snaps up the NBA rights.

“I covered my ass to be honest with you,” he said.

“I just signed a 10-year deal two years ago, but one of the things I did was I put an opt-out in a couple years because I wanted to cover my ass when it comes to this situation.”

Inside the NBA won three Sports Emmys last night.

Their postseason edition took the award for Outstanding Studio Show – Limited Run, while Barkley took Outstanding Studio Analyst and Johnson won Outstanding Studio Host.

“I’m very grateful for this,” Johnson said in an emotional acceptance speech. “We can all be grateful for what we do.

“Who in this room doesn’t consider what they have a get-to job?

“We get to do this. I get to work with Kenny and Chuck and Shaq.

“I’m grateful for this family at TNT. Thirty-five years, I’ve been with this company.

“I get to go to work with you guys. And I will forever be grateful for that.”