Charles Barkley, known for co-hosting the beloved “Inside the NBA” on TNT, is set to remain with the network, having been a loyal member for nearly 25 years.
The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Famer has decided to postpone retirement and collaborate with TNT’s leadership to create new shows and enhance sports content.
“I cherish my TNT Sports family. My top priority has always been and will continue to be our team and keeping everyone united for as long as I can. We have incredible talent, and they are unmatched in their field,” Barkley stated in a Tuesday announcement from TNT Sports.
This announcement follows Barkley’s earlier declaration just under two months ago about plans to step away from broadcasting next year.
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Charles Barkley observes prior to game three of the Eastern Conference Finals between the Boston Celtics and Miami Heat at Kaseya Center on May 21, 2023 in Miami, Florida. (Megan Briggs/Getty Images)
Barkley’s announcement also coincides with uncertainties regarding TNT’s standing as a media rights holder for the NBA.
Recently, the NBA turned down a proposal from Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) to match Amazon’s offer for a portion of the league’s substantial media rights deal valued at $76 billion over 11 years. Following that, WBD, which owns TNT, filed a sealed lawsuit in New York County Supreme Court.
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Ernie Johnson leads the panel on “Inside the NBA,” with Barkley, basketball icon Shaquille O’Neal, and two-time NBA champion Kenny “The Jet” Smith offering their insights. Barkley’s ongoing commitment means he will “exclusively contribute to TNT Sports for years to come,” according to the news release.
“I’m excited about continuing my work with them on the shows we currently produce and the new ones we will create together down the line. This is my home. I must say… the leadership team has impressed me with their dedication and proactive approach in acquiring new properties for TNT Sports, which excites me very much. I’m grateful to them and all my colleagues for their unwavering support, especially our fans. I’ll give my utmost to keep them entertained for the years ahead.”
Shaquille O’Neal, Ernie Johnson, Kenny Smith, and Charles Barkley from TNT engage during State Farm All-Star Saturday Night on February 17, 2024, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Brandon Todd/NBAE via Getty Images)
Although Barkley had stated his intention to retire by the end of the 2024-25 NBA season as of June, by late July, he suggested he was open to exploring other options.
In a conversation with veteran sports radio and television host Dan Patrick, Barkley was asked if he would stick to his retirement plans knowing he was receiving interest from other media outlets. Barkley replied he would “listen” to the proposals from different networks.
“To be honest, it would be foolish not to consider their call, but the beauty of this situation is that… I don’t have to make any decisions for a year, Dan,” Barkley shared. “I’ve told all three networks that I’m honored and flattered by their interest, but let’s see how everything plays out in a year.”
The three networks he referred to include Disney, the parent company of ESPN, NBC, and Amazon Prime Video, which have recently secured deals for segments of the NBA’s upcoming media rights.
College basketball analyst Charles Barkley on air before the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament Final Four championship game. (Mitchell Layton/Getty Images)
A report from the Sports Business Journal in May indicated that Barkley has a contractual clause allowing him to explore other options once the network’s NBA deal ends.
In his talk with Patrick, Barkley expressed that he expected to be a sought-after figure in media next year. Yet, he reaffirmed his plan to conclude his broadcasting career, making his recent about-face even more unexpected.
“However, I doubt TNT will guarantee anything because they really have little to offer. I believe I’ll be a free agent next summer. As of now, my intention remains to retire,” Barkley mentioned to Patrick during the discussion.
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Meanwhile, TNT has secured rights to some College Football Playoff games recently and will be the U.S. broadcaster for the French Open tennis tournament beginning in 2025. This shift towards tennis and college football may be a strategy to mitigate the potential impact of losing the NBA rights.
“Charles is one of the finest and most cherished sportscasters in television history. I can confidently say that on behalf of everyone at TNT Sports, we are incredibly excited about this mutual commitment to showcase Charles’ unique talents and entertain our fans for years to come,” TNT Sports CEO Luis Silberwasser noted in a statement.
“We continue to broaden our sports portfolio – incorporating new properties like the College Football Playoffs, Roland-Garros, NASCAR, BIG EAST college basketball, and Mountain West football, among others – and it’s fantastic to have Charles join us as we innovate new content ideas and shows for our fans.”
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