Longtime TNT broadcaster Charles Barkley dropped a stunning announcement Friday after Game 4 of the NBA Finals, revealing he would retire after the 2024-2025 NBA season.
Barkley made the announcement with little warning and a lot of emotion, explaining that he had discussed leaving TNT for other networks due to Warner Bros.’ likely loss of NBA rights. Discovery after the next year, but ultimately decided he was willing to give up the microphone.
Barkley’s explanation:
“There’s been a lot of noise around our network in recent months. I just want to say, I’ve talked to all the other networks, but I’m not going anywhere other than TNT. But I made the decision myself, regardless of what happens next year will be my last year on television.
“I just want to thank my NBA family. You’ve been great to me, my heart is full of joy and gratitude, but I’m going to pass the baton at the end of next year. I hope the NBA stays with TNT…I’m not going to another network, but I’m going to pass the baton to Jamal Crawford or Vince Carter or you Steve [Smith]but next year I will simply retire after 25 years.
Next season could already mark the end of an era at TNT, with the network still on the verge of losing its NBA package to NBC. TNT could theoretically still try to match NBC’s offer or strike a smaller deal with the league, but all indications from WBD head David Zaslav are that the network will instead pursue cheaper deals in other sports, such as college football and tennis.
Barkley is unhappy with the entire process and has made his displeasure known by describing his company’s leaders as “clowns” and decrying what the change will mean for his “Inside the NBA” show. He reportedly had the right to back out of his deal with TNT if the network lost its NBA rights and has even gone so far as to suggest that his production company could acquire ‘Inside the NBA.’
