Shaq will have free agency bonanza if TNT loses NBA for good
NY Post
Charles Barkley has been the focal point of most of the chatter about what happens to TNT’s iconic “Inside the NBA” studio crew if the network officially loses NBA rights. Shaquille O’Neal should be right up there with him.
TNT’s parent company Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) has sued the NBA, saying that the league infringed on its “matching rights” in selecting Amazon’s bid over theirs.
The NBA has contended that WBD did not match the terms of Amazon’s streaming-first package on their Prime Video service and the matter is tied up in litigation.
Should this matter get resolved, either by a settlement or a ruling in the NBA’s favor, where TNT is out of the NBA business, there will be a feeding frenzy amongst Amazon, NBC and even ESPN for TNT’s acclaimed stable of studio broadcasters and game announcers.
Barkley, who recently announced a long-term commitment with TNT Sports with or without the NBA, previously had said that he had an out in his deal with the network if it did not renew its NBA rights.
Industry sources believe that O’Neal, 52, has a similar contingency in his contract.
The Rangers’ trade-deadline picture continues to come into focus.
Deebo Samuel is a man of few words on his way out of San Francisco.
MLB’s controversial all-time hits king could have a shot at the Baseball Hall of Fame.
MIAMI — Mitchell Robinson said his minutes limit was “supposed to be about 18” after his encouraging season debut Friday night.
INDIANAPOLIS — So many of the questions directed his way at the NFL Scouting Combine prompted an almost bewildered — and amused and delighted — response from Howard Cross III.
DETROIT — Cade Cunningham broke out of a slump by scoring nine of his 15 points in the fourth quarter and the Detroit Pistons pulled away to beat the Brooklyn Nets 115-94 on Saturday night.
INDIANAPOLIS — Tyler Warren wears No. 44 because of an old Jet.
Of course this is not 2018, this deadline does not represent a sea change in philosophy resembling that one. But, just as seven years ago, the hierarchy — different general managers, same CEO — is not homing in at making a run at eighth place at the expense of acquiring future assets in exchange for expiring contracts.
TAMPA — It was all but certain even before Giancarlo Stanton left camp last Monday to tend to a personal matter, but now it is official: The Yankees DH will begin the season on the injured list.
Chris Kreider missed his third straight game with an upper-body injury Friday, when the Rangers lost to the Maple Leafs 3-2 in their fourth game back from the 4 Nations Face-Off break.
MEMPHIS — Mitchell Robinson’s long-awaited return was about as promising as the Knicks could’ve envisioned.
The time to string wins together is now, but the Rangers haven’t been able to do that since mid-November.
