“It’s a sad day when owners and commissioners choose money over the fans. It just sucks.” Too big a statement, but you have to take it when the biggies have to say it! Charles Barkley was frustrated when the NBA went ahead with Amazon for its broadcasting future, despite TNT matching the deal. Yes, Inside the NBA has now moved to ESPN, but Chuck was not the only one raising questions against the NBA’s new media rights deal. Analysts have previously voiced concern about whether this 11-year, $76 billion deal is financially wise. Dwyane Wade’s to-be colleague on Amazon Prime, however, believes this new deal could bring a much-needed transformation in fan culture.
The conversation on Underground Lounge started with Lou Williams pointing out how there has come a stark difference in the amount of space NBA athletes used to have to open up on their opinions. He misses the era when social media used to be fun. The time when Instagram was mostly a platform to share snaps and not spew hate against others. “It’s like it’s almost a bad thing to be famous,” Williams said. He wanted to know if there will ever come a time when we can return to what it used to be, in terms of fan culture. Well, Taylor Rooks, who will soon join Dwyane Wade on Amazon Prime’s NBA coverage, seemed to have an answer on the podcast.
“I do. It happens October 2025 on Amazon,” Rooks said, referencing the commencement of next season’s NBA coverage on the streaming platform owned by the $1.8 trillion company that is Amazon. Further, during the podcast, she stated her understanding of how important it is for all of those on the Prime show to make the game about what they love.
“I think that people are really ready for new constant voices. And it’s one of the reasons that these streaming have been really exciting. It’s like what the Amazon show is going to look like, what the NBC show is going to look like. All these things. People want newness because I don’t care what anyone says when it comes to how people are thought of. It begins and ends with the media,” Rooks said, explaining why the NBA’s new media rights deal works despite the criticism it might’ve faced in the past.
Well, there is no denying that the streaming giant has one up over TNT. Something that even Charles Barkley pointed out: financial flexibility. No wonder Amazon Prime was able to get stars like Dwyane Wade, Steve Nash, and Candace Parker. However, one of the smartest moves? While cast on Inside the NBA had to navigate their way to camaraderie that we see now after their initial differences, Prime Video is getting a pair of NBA buds whom fans already adore:
Dwyane Wade and Udonis Haslem open up on professional re-union following Prime’s project confirmation
Yep, Wade and Haslem are reuniting, only this time, not in jerseys, but behind the analyst desk. The iconic duo will soon be stepping into a fresh spotlight as part of Amazon Prime’s NBA coverage, marking the streaming giant’s official dive into the league this season.
If you remember Wade’s relentless hustle under the rim, you probably also remember how often he clashed with Haslem—sometimes so physically it almost looked like comedy on court. Now, years later, those intense moments have turned into shared laughs, as they will join Steve Nash and Candace Parker to bring fans an all-star broadcasting crew. And honestly, it already feels like home. Both Wade and Haslem have built strong TV resumes—whether it was ESPN appearances or podcasting success—and this new venture just seems to fit.
Haslem made it clear he’s ready to go, posting an Instagram story with all four analysts and writing, “Looking forward to getting started @primevideo It’s just work!! @dwyanewade @candaceparker @stevenash.” But it was Dwyane Wade who set the tone early, sharing the same poster a full hour before Haslem with a heartwarming nod: “Back with the best teammates ever! @ud40 @candaceparker.” With such positivity already in the air, it won’t be unfair to assume that this could translate to the fans. And Taylor Rooks’ belief in a new fan culture from Prime’s NBA coverage could come true.
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