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The 2026 NBA Playoffs are delivering with the games on the court, but Charles Barkley and basketball fans are going after Adam Silver for how challenging it is to actually watch games.
The postseason is down to four teams with the best franchises challenging for an NBA championship. However, many fans are caught up on the fact that the most meaningful matchups aren’t on standard television any longer.
MORE: Dawn Staley emerges as possible option in Mavericks head coaching search
That’s certainly rubbing Barkley and other fans the wrong way with frustrations growing. That sparked Barkley to take aim at the NBA commissioner this week as the NBA Playoffs near its conclusion.
The league’s interest in streaming games across different networks and platforms has grown immensely during the 2025-26 season. NBA matchups are now being shown across ESPN, NBC/Peacock and Amazon’s Prime Video.
However, that doesn’t make the fan’s viewing experience any easier during the most pivotal part of the season. Barkley, who is never shy to voice an opinion, isn’t happy about it either despite his continued “Inside the NBA” coverage.
“I think Adam Silver has to get a hold of this thing,” Barkley said recently with SI Now’s Jimmy Traina. “I think the games are too disjointed right now. 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.”
MORE: Top 10 coach and player pairings in the NBA
Sports fans aren’t any stranger to the growing world of streaming though as MLB, NFL and college sports all have similar deals. It’s estimated that NFL fans will need to spend over $1,000 in order to watch every football game during the upcoming 2026 season.
NBA TV broadcasters interview NBA commissioner Adam Silver during the NBA All Star Game. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
However, the fans continue to suffer when it comes to the increased expense to watch their favorite teams. That’s certainly not going away though as leagues find more ways to generate advertising and streaming revenue.
The NBA even announced recently that the league will be playing another overseas game in France next year as Victor Wembanyama’s stardom grows. That’s great for the NBA’s exposure, but how exactly does it help the existing fans that want to watch their teams compete?
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The postseason is down to four teams with the best franchises challenging for an NBA championship. However, many fans are caught up on the fact that the most meaningful matchups aren’t on standard television any longer.
MORE: Dawn Staley emerges as possible option in Mavericks head coaching search
That’s certainly rubbing Barkley and other fans the wrong way with frustrations growing. That sparked Barkley to take aim at the NBA commissioner this week as the NBA Playoffs near its conclusion.
The league’s interest in streaming games across different networks and platforms has grown immensely during the 2025-26 season. NBA matchups are now being shown across ESPN, NBC/Peacock and Amazon’s Prime Video.
Barkley bashes NBA commissioner over streaming concerns
However, that doesn’t make the fan’s viewing experience any easier during the most pivotal part of the season. Barkley, who is never shy to voice an opinion, isn’t happy about it either despite his continued “Inside the NBA” coverage.
“I think Adam Silver has to get a hold of this thing,” Barkley said recently with SI Now’s Jimmy Traina. “I think the games are too disjointed right now. 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.”
MORE: Top 10 coach and player pairings in the NBA
Sports fans aren’t any stranger to the growing world of streaming though as MLB, NFL and college sports all have similar deals. It’s estimated that NFL fans will need to spend over $1,000 in order to watch every football game during the upcoming 2026 season.
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NBA TV broadcasters interview NBA commissioner Adam Silver during the NBA All Star Game. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
However, the fans continue to suffer when it comes to the increased expense to watch their favorite teams. That’s certainly not going away though as leagues find more ways to generate advertising and streaming revenue.
The NBA even announced recently that the league will be playing another overseas game in France next year as Victor Wembanyama’s stardom grows. That’s great for the NBA’s exposure, but how exactly does it help the existing fans that want to watch their teams compete?
Continue reading...
