No one knows if “Inside the NBA” will continue beyond next season, as Warner Bros. Discovery Inc. is vying for the next NBA media rights deal.
One of its leading members, and one of its most outspoken, appears to be taking the issue personally.
Hall of Famer and “Inside the NBA” commentator Charles Barkley said after Game 4 of the NBA Finals on Friday that next season will be his final appearance on the show, regardless of whether the show continues beyond that season, and that he plans to retire from NBA television appearances altogether after the 2024-25 season.
Barkley has not been shy about sharing his views as TNT's parent company tries to retain the rights to broadcast NBA games beyond next season, with multiple reports saying ESPN, Amazon and NBC are in line to be rights holders in the NBA's next broadcast deal.
“You guys are my family, so I just want to say this: I love TNT, I love everyone who works here, I love NBA Television. You guys have been so good to me these past 24 years. I want to thank the entire NBA family. I love you all,” Barkley said during NBA TV's postgame coverage after the Mavericks' 122-84 win.
Charles Barkley says he will retire from NBA television after the 2025-26 season
Barkley acknowledged he has had meetings with other networks about potentially staying with NBA Media after the 2024-25 season.
“There's been a lot of noise around our network over the last few months, and I just want to say, I've talked to all the other networks and I'm not going anywhere but TNT,” Barkley said. “But I've made my decision, and no matter what happens, next year will be my last year on television. And I want to thank the NBA family. You've all been so good to me, and my heart is full of joy and gratitude.”
Barkley said he plans to “pass the baton” to the next generation of analysts, such as Vince Carter and Jamal Crawford, at the end of next season and that this will be the last interview he has given about his outlook for the future.
Barkley recently slammed WBD CEO David Zaslav for past comments he made about the company's relationship with the NBA.
During an appearance on “The Dan Patrick Show” in May, Barkley told “Inside the NBA” that “morale is terrible” for staff navigating the uncertainty created by negotiations between the company and the league.
“It's pretty clear to me that the people I work with have screwed this up,” Barkley told Patrick. “I have no idea what's going to happen. I feel bad. I'm not going to lie.”
There had been speculation that Barkley could be released from his contract with Turner Sports if the company loses its rights to broadcast NBA games, but “Sir Charles” appeared to shoot down that idea on Friday night.
“I'm not moving to another network,” he said.
In a statement Saturday, TNT Sports said Barkley was a “Hall of Fame broadcasting icon and will remain a beloved member of the TNT Sports family.”
“We look forward to another great season of NBA on TNT and look forward to discussing future plans with him further,” the statement said.
Barkley concluded: “Next year I'll be retiring after a 25-year career and I just wanted to say thank you so I wanted to let you all know first.”
Barkley joined “Inside the NBA” in 2000 after his Hall of Fame career. Ernie Johnson hosts the show, with Shaquille O'Neal and Kenny “The Jet” Smith as Barkley's fellow commentators.
