Charles Barkley announces he will retire from broadcasting after the 2024-25 NBA Season
Charles Barkley Announces Retirement from Broadcasting After 2024-25 NBA Season
Charles Barkley, the Basketball Hall of Famer whose candid, no-nonsense commentary on TNT’s Inside the NBA has become as iconic as his Hall of Fame playing career, announced on Friday that next season will be his last on television.
“I ain’t going nowhere other than TNT. But I have made the decision that no matter what happens, next year is going to be my last year on television,” Barkley said on NBATV following the Dallas Mavericks’ Game 4 victory over the Boston Celtics. “And 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.”
Barkley’s retirement will come at the conclusion of the 2024-25 NBA season, which also marks the expiration of Warner Bros. Discovery’s (WBD) media rights deal with the NBA. While WBD, the parent company of CNN, could renew its contract, reports suggest that NBC and Amazon have made higher bids, according to The Wall Street Journal. An announcement regarding the future of NBA broadcasting, including deals with ESPN and potentially new partners, is expected in the coming weeks.
“I hope the NBA stays with TNT, but for me personally, I wanted you guys to hear it from me,” Barkley continued. “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, Vince Carter, or you, Steve (Smith).”
Barkley, 60, first joined Inside the NBA in 2000 after retiring from a legendary playing career that included 11 All-Star appearances, an MVP award in 1993, and two Olympic gold medals. He was also named to both the NBA’s 50th and 75th anniversary teams. Despite never winning an NBA championship—a fact he has openly said haunted him—Barkley became one of the most beloved figures in sports media.
His transition to broadcasting was an unexpected one. Known for his thick Alabama accent and off-the-cuff style, Barkley defied the typical mold of a sports analyst. His candid, unapologetic commentary has made him a fan favorite and a viral sensation, long before social media made that kind of fame common. Over his 24 years with TNT, Barkley has won four Sports Emmys and was inducted into the Sports Broadcasting Hall of Fame.
TNT issued a statement following Barkley’s announcement, acknowledging his iconic status both as a player and a broadcaster: “Charles is a Hall of Famer and broadcasting icon who is and will always be a beloved member of the TNT Sports family. We’re looking forward to another fantastic NBA on TNT season and further discussion of our future plans with him.”
In the past, Barkley has flirted with the idea of entering politics, even expressing an interest in running for governor of Alabama. However, he later said he was disillusioned with the current political landscape, commenting that neither major political party seemed focused on the well-being of the people. “I really thought hard about running for governor but then I realized, like, I don’t think either one of these parties are really concerned about people, and that’s what America is: people,” he said.
As for the future of NBA broadcasts on TNT, that remains uncertain with the expiration of the current media rights deal. However, Warner Bros. Discovery recently announced a 10-year deal to become the exclusive U.S. broadcaster for the French Open starting in 2025, signaling an expanding portfolio of sports content. All 900 French Open matches will be available live on the Max streaming platform, with select matches airing on TNT and TBS.
Barkley, a cornerstone of the popular and award-winning Inside the NBA show, revealed on Friday that the 2024-25 season will be his final year with TNT, and that he won’t be moving to another network afterward. “I ain’t going nowhere other than TNT,” Barkley said on NBATV after the Dallas Mavericks’ Game 4 win over the Boston Celtics. “But I’ve made the decision that next year, no matter what, will be my last year on television. I just want to say thank you to my NBA family. You guys have been incredible to me. My heart is full of joy and gratitude.”