NBA Hall of Famer and broadcasting legend Charles Barkley has announced that he will be retiring from television following the 2024-2025 NBA season.
The 61-year-old has been a consistent figure within the NBA media since retiring from the league in 2000. His most prominent role was as a member of Inside the NBA alongside Shaquille O’Neal, Kenny Smith, and Ernie Johnson.
His decision came in response to the NBA’s expectation to sign a new 11-year media rights deal with ESPN, NBC, and Amazon Prime Video, which is estimated to be worth $76 billion, according to The Athletic.
Warner Bros. Discovery is working to become a fourth partner in the deal. Failure to do so could result in TNT, the network Barkley is currently under contract with, losing its rights to NBA content.
Barkley announced his retirement following the Dallas Mavericks’ win in Game 4 of the NBA Finals, saying, “No matter what happens, next year is going to be my last year on television.”
“I hope the NBA stays with TNT, but for me personally, I wanted you guys to hear it from me … I wanted to tell my NBATV and TNT family that I’m not going to another network, but I’m going to pass the baton to either Jamal Crawford or Vince Carter or you Steve [Smith],” said Barkley, per ESPN.
“But next year, I’m going to just retire after 25 years, and I just wanted to say thank you. And wanted y’all to hear it from me first,” he said.
Barkley’s decision to retire regardless of the outcome of NBA media rights is a departure from his previous comments. Last month on ESPN Cleveland, he said he would be open to discussing a role with another network, per The Athletic.
TNT Sports said in a statement that Barkley was a “broadcasting icon” and “beloved member” of the network team. According to ESPN, the two sides will continue to discuss plans that could help keep him from fully retiring.
