Charles Barkley has opened up about his unexpected decision to retire from broadcasting, a move that has left many fans and colleagues in shock. The announcement comes amid reports of the NBA finalizing a $76 billion extension with ESPN and securing new deals with NBC and Amazon for its media rights. Barkley, affectionately known as “Chuck,” appeared on CNBC’s “Closing Bell” from Lake Tahoe, Nevada, where he is participating in the American Century Championship. During the interview, he explained his unwavering loyalty to TNT and its parent company, Warner Bros. Discovery.
“I wouldn’t feel comfortable going to work for another network,” Barkley, 61, said. “It’ll be 25 years that I’ve been working with Turner, and I love everybody at Turner. But at this age, to go over and start over, I don’t know if I want to do that.”
As it stands, TNT still has the option to match any offers on the table to continue broadcasting games beyond the next season. However, Barkley made it clear that no amount of money could persuade him to switch networks. The former 76ers, Rockets, and Suns star has one year left on his $10 million, 10-year contract with TNT, which coincides with the network’s agreement with the NBA to broadcast games until after the 2024-25 season.
“If I don’t have enough money by now, I’m the biggest idiot, fool in the world,” Barkley said when asked if financial reasons could change his mind about retiring. “I’ve been so lucky and blessed… I played in the NBA for 15 years. I’ve been on television for 24 years. If I don’t have enough money by now, I’m the biggest loser in the world.”
Barkley first revealed his retirement plans during the coverage of Game 4 of the 2024 NBA Finals on June 15. His comments on CNBC came just a day after the league signed contracts with ESPN, NBC, and Amazon to broadcast games for the next 11 years.
“I really feel bad for everybody at TNT,” Barkley said about the current media rights landscape in professional basketball. “All the people I’ve been working with for the last 24 years… They’re really family for me and I really hope we match… Honestly, in my heart, I think we have lost the package. That’s my honest opinion. But I really hope we get a last-minute reprieve for the people at Turner.”
Barkley has been a mainstay on “Inside the NBA on TNT” since 2000, forming one of the most iconic studio sets in broadcasting history alongside Ernie Johnson, Kenny “The Jet” Smith, and Shaquille O’Neal. His sudden retirement announcement has sparked reactions from numerous athletes and media pundits. Up to this point, his colleagues on the show had remained relatively quiet on the matter. However, Kenny Smith recently weighed in, expressing his surprise at Barkley’s decision.
“He never called me. He never told me. He still hasn’t called me and told me, ‘Kenny, I’m retiring.’ I was just surprised he didn’t thank me, Ernie [Johnson], and Shaq [O’Neal]. You’re going to retire and not thank us?” Smith said.
Barkley made his announcement while covering the 2024 NBA Finals, explaining that he wanted the public to “hear it from [him] first.” He expressed gratitude to the people he has worked with over the years. In the immediate aftermath of the announcement, fans shared emotional messages on social media. Many included pleas for the outspoken media personality not to leave, but many others wished him well as he looks forward to his next chapter. Even his former rival, Golden State Warriors player Draymond Green, weighed in and congratulated him, although Green also expressed his belief that Barkley might not actually call it a career.
If Barkley does change his mind and decides to stay beyond next season, there is a strong chance he won’t be working with TNT. The network and its parent company, Warner Bros. Discovery, have been unsuccessful in renewing their deal for the broadcast rights to the NBA. The hosts themselves have mostly remained silent on the matter, though Barkley has shared some candid thoughts. In his estimation, Inside the NBA’s cancellation “sucks,” not just for his sake but for the people he works with. He even pulled a reporter into an elevator to give a seemingly unauthorized interview on the subject.
The obvious silver lining to the show’s potential demise is that the sendoff season could be one for the books, especially given that it will also mark Charles Barkley’s last year on TV. As a fan, I’m incredibly excited (and sad) to see it all play out. And, in the meantime, I’m curious to hear Shaq and Ernie Johnson’s reactions to Barkley’s retirement to see if they match up with Kenny Smith’s unexpected take.
Inside the NBA is set to return to TNT this fall. In the meantime, fans will be eagerly watching to see how Barkley’s final season unfolds and what the future holds for one of the most beloved figures in sports broadcasting.
Source: CNBC, TNT
