data-mm-id=”_rnl4f9y04″>The battle for future NBA media rights continues as the sports media world stands at rapt attention while tweeting out clips of the Roundball Rock song. One eventual possibility is that Turner Sports is left out of the new deal, which would mean Inside the NBA, widely recognized as the best sports show on television, would need a new home and its superstar cast would be incredibly attractive targets for the new rightsholders. Michael McCarthy of Front Office Sports spun that story forward today by flagging that Charles Barkley, who confirmed that he has an escape clause in his current contract that would allow him to seek greener pastures should TNT lose the NBA. “I just signed a 10-year deal two years ago,” Barkley said in an interview with ESPN Cleveland on Wednesday, “but one of the things I did was I put an opt-out after a couple years because I wanted to cover my ass when it comes to this situation.”"I wanted to make sure that if we lost the NBA in 2 years, I could be a free agent," – Charles Barkley on if TNT loses the NBA TV rights. Charles also talks about the future of 'Inside the NBA' pic.twitter.com/hyDIVcUapy— ESPN Cleveland (@ESPNCleveland) May 1, 2024McCarthy's sources tell him that Barkley could command $18-$20 million on such an open market. ESPN, Amazon and NBC are all vying for future hoops broadcasts and all would conceivably be interested in Barkley and his other castmates if possible. At least on paper. But it does seem like the general public, or at least the niche section interest in media movings and shakings, is overestimating just how seamless and easy a plug-and-play situation would be. For one, networks have tended to want to create their own thing when they get a shiny new toy and put their own stamp on it. Barkley is also 61 and hasn't been shy about dreaming about an eventual retirement. Then there's the price tag and, dare I even say it, the possibility that Barkley works best and is most impactful because he plays off a set with unrivaled chemistry. Just having him, Ernie Johnson, Kenny Smith and Shaquille O'Neal parachute into new digs seems like a complete pipe dream and if there's any combination of that, it'll be great television but decidedly not quite the same. Obviously Turner could be part of the next package. There's plenty of moves on the chessboard before networks even begin the process of putting pens to paper. But that's kind of the point. That there's a lot to be determined, which is why just assuming Barkley is going to easily be transferred to whomever has the NBA may be a bit of a premature assumption.Time will tell. As it always does.
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According to a recent report from Sport, Ilkay Gundogan has admitted to holding talks with Barcelona over a move to the Nou Camp.
The 32-year-old has been with Manchester City since back in 2016. In that time, he’s been able to establish himself as one of the club’s most effective players.
He’s won countless trophies and this season, he’s on the verge of helping them win the treble with City being the favourites to win the Premier League, Champions League and FA Cup.
Financially speaking, Barcelona have been in a spot of bother over the course of the last few years. That s probably an understatement, too, and with a move for Lionel Messi being on the cards this summer, you have to wonder where they re going to find the money to bring in someone like Gund…
Former Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson contacted Liverpool to congratulate the Reds on their drought-ending Premier League title, Kenny Dalglish revealed.
Liverpool claimed their first English top-flight crown since 1990 thanks to Manchester City s 2-1 Premier League loss to Chelsea on Thursday.
The Reds celebrated a 19th English league title with seven games to spare in 2019-20, moving one adrift of United s record after Ferguson led the Manchester giants to 13 Premier League honours during a trophy-laden 26-year tenure.
Ferguson, though, put rivalries aside as the United legend congratulated fierce foes Liverpool.
How are we all feeling this morning, Reds?
— Liverpool FC (Premier League Champions ) (@LFC)
He contacted us to…
Prediction: Both Teams to Score Liverpool to Win
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The UEFA Champions League final gets underway on Saturday night as Premier League rivals, Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool, clash on Saturday evening.
The match itself, the first all-English European Cup final since 2008, sees the two teams aiming to end their respective waits for European glory at the home of Atletico Madrid, the Estadio Wanda Metropolitano.
Tottenham Hotspur
It is scarcely believable that the North Londoners now have a genuine chance of winning the Champions League considering their troubles in the competition so far this season. Mauricio Pochettino s troops have twice been on the verge of elimination; first notching an excellent draw at the Nou Camp in their f…
Liverpool provided a huge boost to their hopes of Champions League football next season as they claimed a thrilling 4-2 win over rivals Manchester United.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer s side took the lead early through Bruno Fernandes, but were pegged back before half-time as Diogo Jota and Roberto Firmino got on the scoresheet.
It looked like the visitors had things wrapped up early in the second period as Firmino headed in his second only for Marcus Rashford to set up a nervy finish as he pulled one back with 20 minutes remaining.
But the visitors rounded things off late on through Mohamed Salah to put pressure firmly back on Chelsea and Leicester City in the chase for top four.
2 Mo Salah is only the second player in Liverpool s history to score away to Man Ut…
David de Gea is no stranger to scrutiny at Old Trafford.
There were serious concerns over De Gea when he was lured to Manchester United by former boss Alex Ferguson as a lean 20-year-old goalkeeper in 2011.
De Gea, though, answered questions about his physique – the Spaniard repaying Ferguson s faith and going on to win a Premier League title, as well as FA Cup, Europa League, EFL Cup and Community Shield silverware.
He cemented himself as one of the world s best keepers. However, those concerns have emerged again and they are growing louder following his latest mistake in Sunday s 1-1 draw away to Everton.
The key moments from our clash against Everton
— Manchester United (@ManUtd)
De Gea s attempted clearance was blocked by Evert…
Real Madrid s Champions League defence came crashing down in a humiliating home defeat to Ajax on Tuesday, ending their three-year grip on the trophy.
The Eredivisie side triumphed 4-1 at the Santiago Bernabeu to prevail 5-3 on aggregate in the last-16 tie and pile further pressure on Madrid boss Santiago Solari.
Defeat marks the first time since 2009-10 that Madrid have been eliminated at this stage of the competition and comes on the back of consecutive Clasico losses to Barcelona in the Copa del Rey and LaLiga.
Here, with the help of Opta, we take a look at some of the key stats behind Madrid s shock exit from the competition.
Lasse Schöne
— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague)
Madrid are the first reigning Champio…
Paraguay will need to end a torrid run of form against Peru if they are to book a place in the semi-finals of the Copa America.
Eduardo Berizzo s side have failed to win any of their last seven games against Peru, with their last victory coming in a friendly in November 2014.
A 1-0 defeat to Uruguay in their final Group A game meant Paraguay finished third with six points from four games.
They suffered a blow in that clash when influential midfielder Miguel Almiron limped off.
A late decision will be made on the Newcastle United man s fitness ahead of the match at Estadio Olimpico Pedro Ludovico in Goiania, with Oscar Romero and Andres Cubas among the options to come into the starting XI.
Peru, meanwhile, wrapped up their Group B campaign…
Real Madrid are interested in signing Jonathan David from Lille, according to .
The LOSC Lille forward currently tops the Ligue 1 goalscoring chart with 13 strikes, which is pretty impressive given that he has the likes of Lionel Messi, Neymar and Kylian Mbappe to compete against. Nick Mavromaras, the 21-year-old s representative, has openly admitted he expects 2021-22 to be his last season with Lille.
Real will surely face fierce competition for a forward of such potential. Liverpool are said to be monitoring the situation as well, with all three of their long-serving star forwards set to turn 30 by next summer, when they ll also reach the final 12 months of their contracts.
David is bound to Lille until 2025, and the Ligue 1 club are expected to demand at leas…
Defending Copa Libertadores champions River Plate will face Cruzeiro in the last 16, while last season s runners-up Boca Juniors are set to meet Athletico Paranaense again.
River s quest for back-to-back titles will continue against Brazilian giants Cruzeiro in a two-legged round-of-16 clash starting in July.
After edging Argentine rivals Boca in a dramatic final last season, River advanced to the knockout stage as runners-up to Internacional in Group A.
Meanwhile, two-time champions Cruzeiro – who last won the competition in 1997 having reached the final in 2009 – finished six points clear atop Group B.
So here is the draw for the round of 16 in the !
— CONMEBOL Libertadores (@TheLibertadores)
Monday s draw in Paraguay also has …
Juliano Belletti believes Barcelona and Real Madrid can make memories to last for many years in Sunday s Clasico as he recalled being on the team that swept aside the famous Galacticos .
Brazilian full-back Belletti spent three seasons at Camp Nou between 2004 and 2007, winning two LaLiga titles and scoring the winner in the 2006 Champions League final against Arsenal.
He featured in four games against Los Blancos for the Blaugrana, winning one, losing one and drawing two.
The 45-year-old, who is now assistant manager at Brazilian club Cruzeiro, reflected on the stature of the historic fixture and cast his mind back to his first Clasico after arriving in Catalonia.
Most of the best players in the world are [at Barcelona and Real Madrid], Belletti told…