On the verge of a possible seismic change within the NBA broadcast carriage, some of the recognizable faces of basketball TV protection over the previous a long time, Charles Barkley, is looking it a profession.
The longtime TNT broadcaster made the announcement after Sport 4 of the NBA Finals on Friday, revealing that he deliberate to retire after the 2024-25 NBA season.
The information comes amid rampant hypothesis that TNT mum or dad Warner Bros. Discovery is about to lose NBA rights to NBC.
“There’s been quite a lot of noise round our community the previous few months. I simply wish to say, I talked to all the opposite networks, however I ain’t going nowhere aside from TNT. However I’ve made the choice myself, it doesn’t matter what occurs, subsequent 12 months goes to be my final 12 months on tv,” Barkley mentioned. “I simply wish to say thanks to my NBA household. You guys have been nice to me, my coronary heart is full with pleasure and gratitude, however I’m going to move the baton on the finish of subsequent 12 months. I hope the NBA stays with TNT … I’m not going to a different community, however I’m going to move the baton to Jamal Crawford or Vince Carter otherwise you Steve [Smith], however subsequent 12 months, I’m simply going to retire after 25 years.”
Barkley hinted that he could also be finished with tv final month when rumors fist surfaced that TNT could now not be dwelling of NBA protection, together with long-running studio present Contained in the NBA Barkley has been a staple on.
In an interview again then, he revealed that about 200 jobs might be misplaced.
“It simply sucks proper now for the individuals I work with,” Barkley mentioned. “I’m apprehensive about all of the individuals I work with. I simply turned 61. I’ve acquired sufficient cash.”
He then added about his future if WBD was outbid, “I don’t even take a look at it as getting fired. I take a look at it like, ‘Rattling, I get to play extra golf?!’ Folks ask me what I’m pondering proper now and I inform them, ‘Please get this Western Convention Remaining over’” in order that golf and fishing take middle stage over the late-spring and summer time.”
Sport 4 of the NBA Remaining was gained by the Dallas Mavericks; Boston Celtics lead the sequence 3-1.