NBA analyst Charles Barkley has criticized the league's new media rights arrangement, calling it confusing for fans.
Speaking on the Sports Illustrated podcast with Jimmy Traina, Barkley argued that the current schedule, which splits games across ABC, ESPN, NBC, Peacock, and Amazon Prime Video, makes it difficult for viewers to find games.
Barkley: 'We Have Disrespected the Fans'
“I think Adam Silver has to get a hold of this thing. I think the games are too disjointed right now,” Barkley said.
“NBC, Peacock, Amazon, I think we have disrespected the fans. They don't know when the games are on.
I just think that's really unfair to the fans.”
Barkley noted that even he has struggled to keep track of broadcasts.
“When we weren’t having games, I had to go to my app to see where the game was at.
It's been frustrating for me. I can imagine how frustrating it’s been for the regular fan.”
The 2025-26 season is the first under the new media rights deals.
Barkley acknowledged that Commissioner Silver took the highest bid, but argued that fan experience should come first.
Viewership Data Shows Mixed Results
Despite the confusion, some broadcasts have drawn strong numbers.
A recent double-overtime game between the San Antonio Spurs and Oklahoma City Thunder attracted 9.2 million viewers on NBC, up from 5.3 million for last year's Western Conference finals opener on ESPN.
However, streaming numbers remain comparable to cable. Prime Video drew 4.1 million viewers for a Pistons-Cavaliers game and 5.2 million for Spurs-Timberwolves.
Barkley also addressed the transition of his show, Inside the NBA, to ESPN this season. He rejected criticism that the show's quality has declined.
“I don’t know about that. I think when you don’t see us enough, it’s hard.
For what it’s worth, I’ve had a great time with ESPN.”
The studio team will handle pregame, halftime, and postgame coverage for the NBA Finals later this season. Barkley emphasized that entertainment remains the show's priority.
“Do people really wanna see us, four dummies, sit there from seven to two in the morning talk about pick-and-rolls, blitzes, over-under, elbow wings and things like that?”
“I want people to have fun watching basketball. Period.”
