Just before what could be a fundamental change to the NBA broadcast business, Charles Barkley, one of the most recognizable faces of basketball television coverage over the past two decades, will bring his career to an end.
The longtime TNT commentator and Hall of Famer made the announcement after Game 4 of the NBA Finals on Friday, revealing his intention to retire after the 2024-25 NBA season.
The news comes amid wild speculation that TNT’s parent company, Warner Bros. Discovery, is on track to lose NBA rights to NBC.
“There’s been a lot of noise around our network the last few months. I just want to say, I talked to all the other networks, but I ain’t going nowhere other than TNT. But I have made the decision myself, no matter what happens, next year is going to be my last year on television,” Barkley said. “I just want to say thank you to my NBA family. You guys have been great to me, my heart is full with joy and gratitude, but I’m going to pass the baton at the end of next year. I hope the NBA stays with TNT … I’m not going to another network, but I’m going to pass the baton to Jamal Crawford or Vince Carter or you Steve [Smith], but next year, I’m just going to retire after 25 years.”
Barkley, a multiple Emmy Award winner, hinted last month that he might be done with television when rumors first surfaced that he might no longer be handling NBA coverage, including the long-running studio show “Inside the NBA,” which he has been doing since joining TNT as an analyst in 2000.
The former Philadelphia 76er revealed in an interview at the time that around 200 jobs could be lost.
“It just sucks right now for the people I work with,” Barkley said. “I’m worried about all the people I work with. I just turned 61. I’ve got enough money.”
As for his future if WBD outbids, he added, “I don’t even look at it as getting fired. I look at it like, ‘Damn, I get to play more golf?!’ People ask me what I’m thinking right now and I tell them, ‘Please get this Western Conference Final over’” so that golf and fishing take center stage over the late-spring and summer.”
Game 4 of the 2024 NBA Finals was won by the Dallas Mavericks tonight. The Boston Celtics now lead the series 3-1.