Charles Barkley revealed on Friday that he could be retiring from his duties as a longtime TNT broadcaster following the 2024-25 season.
The NBA legend has served as a studio host for TNT’s Contained in the NBA since 2000. His announcement additionally got here amid Warner Bros. Discovery’s uncertainty relating to its media rights to the NBA subsequent 12 months.
“There’s been numerous noise round our community the previous couple of months,” Barkley stated after Sport 4 of the NBA Finals on Friday night time. “I simply need to say, I talked to all the opposite networks, however I ain’t going nowhere apart 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.”
He continued, “I simply need 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 cross 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 cross 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.”
Whereas WBD continues to speak to the NBA about retaining its media rights deal, the league, nonetheless, seems poised to provide packages to Disney, NBC and Amazon. Although WBD has some “matching” rights, CEO David Zaslav stated final month that the community has additionally been attempting to spice up the sports activities lineup on its channels with different leagues.
Barkley has beforehand expressed his frustrations with the entire ordeal, even publicity criticizing his company bosses at WBD.
“These folks I work with, they’ve screwed this factor up clearly,” he stated on The Dan Patrick Present in Might. “And we don’t have zero concept what’s going to occur. I don’t really feel good. I’m not gonna lie, particularly after they got here out yesterday and stated we purchased faculty soccer. I used to be like, properly rattling, they might have used that cash to purchase the NBA.”
TNT Sports activities not too long ago introduced a take care of ESPN to sublicense some faculty soccer playoff video games.
“We’ve by no means had faculty soccer, by no means been concerned with faculty soccer,” Barkley added. “And I’m like, wait a minute. Shouldn’t we be spending each dime we’ve bought to maintain the NBA? So morale sucks, to be sincere with you.”
On the time, Barkley additionally urged his personal manufacturing firm may take over Contained in the NBA, ought to TNT Sports activities lose NBA rights.