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Charles Barkley gives 'unapproved' interview to New York Times over Kenny Smith's objections as Inside the NBA host Ernie Johnson 'castigates' reporter amid ongoing tensions at TNT
Charles Barkley's recent interview with The New York Times led his mild-mannered 'Inside the NBA' co-host Ernie Johnson to 'castigate' the reporter, according to the piece.
The interview took place in Minneapolis after Game 2 of the ongoing Western Conference Finals and focused on Inside the NBA's clouded future amid reports that TNT is losing its league media rights after next season.
As reported by the Times' Tania Ganguli, Johnson was displeased because she did not get approval for the interview from TNT's parent company, Warner Bros. Discovery, which declined to make himself, Barkley or their co-hosts Kenny Smith and Shaquille O'Neal available for the piece.
But with Barkley apparently willing to ignore the wishes of his bosses, both Smith and Johnson voiced their displeasure.
Barkley was unmoved, reportedly saying: 'I can talk to who I want to.'
Pictured, from left: Ernie Johnson, Kenny Smith and Charles Barkley on the Inside the NBA set
New York Times reporter Tania Ganguli says she was castigated by TNT's Ernie Johnson
As explained by Ganguli, Barkley ushered her onto his elevator to the displeasure of Smith.
'You should do that out there,' Smith said, adding: 'She should clear it through Turner; she should do it the right way.'
Barkley was unmoved.
'Don't worry about him,' said the Olympic gold medalist.
Barkley went on to explain why he's so concerned with the state of Inside the NBA, a production that hired the 'Round Mound of Rebound' in 2000.
The interview took place at a precarious time for TNT Sports, Inside the NBA, and its beloved co-hosts. Last week it emerged that the NBA was formalizing written contracts with ESPN, NBC and Amazon over new TV deals worth a combined $7.4billion per year.
'Inside the NBA' was first broadcasted on-air in 1984. Shaquille O'Neal joined the show in 2011
According to Sports Business Journal, negotiations with all three companies were entering the 'final stage' in what was a massive blow for TNT and their long-running studio show.
However, there may still be life in the show yet as NBA Commissioner Adam Silver offered TNT a glimmer of hope.
Outside of Thursday's White House state dinner in Washington D.C., NBA commissioner Silver said: 'We're all still talking. Who knows how it's going to work out?'
Barkley's refusal to adhere to his bosses' wishes isn't a surprise. The Hall of Famer recently called out Warner Bros. Discovery executives over the NBA negotiations.
'Morale sucks, plain and simple,' the 61-year-old Barkley told The Dan Patrick Show. 'I just feel so bad for the people I work with Dan. These people have families. I just really feel bad for them right now.
'These people I work with, they've screwed this thing up clearly and we have zero idea about what's going to happen. I don't feel good, I'm not going to lie, especially when it came out yesterday and said [TNT] bought college football.'
David Zaslav - Warner Bros. Discovery CEO - previously said TNT 'didn't have to have the NBA'
Last week, Warner Bros Discovery's TNT signed a deal with ESPN for rights to broadcast the College Football Playoff, starting this fall. Walt Disney, ESPN's parent company, said TNT will present two-round games for two years and include two quarter-final through 2028 season.
Earlier this month, CEO David Zaslav said the company 'was hopeful' it would reach an agreement with the NBA to keep the league on Max and TNT, after previously starting that Warner Bros 'didn't have to have the NBA.'
NBA rights are considered central to Warner Bros Discovery's efforts to drive growth in its streaming business and retain cable customers.
Comcast's NBCUniversal is planning to pay an average of about $2.5billion a year to broadcast a package of NBA games, the Wall Street Journal had reported last month.
But the network could face competition from Barkley's production company, as the former NBA star said he's 'talked to the guys' about possibly moving the show to his platform.
'I would love to do that if we lose it,' Barkley said of the program's future, adding that 'someone on the internet' recommended the idea.
Moreover, Walt Disney, Warner Bros Discovery and Fox Corp are set to launch their sports-streaming service Venu Sports this fall, in a bid to attract younger audience.
TNT Sports spokespeople did not immediately respond to DailyMail.com's request for comment.