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Charles Barkley to retire from broadcasting after 2024-25 season
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    Charles Barkley to retire from broadcasting after 2024-25 season

    Charles Barkley said Friday that next season will be his last on TV, no matter what happens with the NBA’s media deals.

    The Hall of Fame player has spent the last 24 years working as a studio analyst for TNT, which could lose the rights to broadcast NBA after next season.

    But no matter where the games end up, Barkley won’t be following.

    “There’s been a lot of noise around our network the last few months and I just want to say I’ve talked to all the other networks, but I ain’t going nowhere other than TNT,” Barkley said while working on NBA TV’s NBA Finals postgame show.

    The NBA’s current deals with ABC-ESPN and Turner Sports expire after next season and the league has been talking with NBC, ESPN and Amazon, among other networks and platforms, about what comes next. Commissioner Adam Silver said last week he hopes new long-term deals will be completed shortly.

    Barkley and broadcast teammates Ernie Johnson, Shaquille O’Neal and Kenny Smith have discussed their uncertain future on their popular “Inside the NBA” studio show. Barkley would seemingly draw interest from any network televising NBA, but the 61-year-old has decided that 25 years will be enough and he will “pass the baton,” hopefully, to a TNT teammate such as Vince Carter or Jamal Crawford.

    “But I have made the decision myself no matter what happens, next year is going to be my last year on television,” he said.

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    After a successful career as a professional basketball player, Charles Barkley has become a beloved figure in the world of sports broadcasting. However, fans were saddened to learn that Barkley has announced his plans to retire from broadcasting after the 2024-25 season.

    Barkley, who has been a staple on TNT’s “Inside the NBA” for over two decades, has been known for his candid and often controversial commentary on the show. His larger-than-life personality and quick wit have made him a fan favorite, and he has become one of the most recognizable faces in sports media.

    In a statement released by TNT, Barkley expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to work in broadcasting and thanked his colleagues and fans for their support over the years. He also hinted at plans to pursue other interests after his retirement, including possibly returning to the world of basketball in a different capacity.

    While Barkley’s retirement will undoubtedly leave a void in the world of sports broadcasting, fans can take comfort in knowing that they still have one more season to enjoy his unique brand of analysis and humor. As one of the most entertaining and outspoken personalities in sports media, Barkley’s presence will be sorely missed, but his legacy will undoubtedly live on for years to come.