Sports

NBA Fans React to Charles Barkley's Plan to Retire from TV After the 2024-25 Season

Barkley, a longtime fixture on TNT's 'Inside the NBA,' says he doesn't plan on working with any other network.

David Dow / NBAE via Getty Images

Charles Barkley announced that the 2024-25 NBA season will be his last on TV.

Barkley, a long-time fixture on TNT's Inside the NBA, revealed his retirement plans after Game 4 of the NBA Finals on Friday.

"I ain't going nowhere other than TNT," Barkley said. "But I have made the decision that, no matter what happens, next year is going to be my last year on television. 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 further discussed the uncertainty surrounding the future of TNT's Inside the NBA, the studio show he joined in 2000 alongside Ernie Johnson and Kenny Smith.

The league's current deals with ABC-ESPN and Turner Sports expire after next season, potentially signaling the end of Inside the NBA in 2025.

"I hope the NBA stays with TNT, but for me personally, I wanted you guys to hear it from me," Barkley shared. "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]."

He added, "But next year, I'm going to just retire after 25 years, and I just wanted to say thank you. And I wanted y'all to hear it from me first."

Check out some of the reactions to Barkley's announcement below.

Related Stories

Charles Barkley in a white suit with a light patterned tie, looking off-camera
sports

Charles Barkley Rips 'Inside the NBA' Bosses Amid Uncertainty Surrounding Show's Future

Barkley directly criticized comments Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav made in 2022 about TNT's NBA broadcast rights.

Joe Price712 days ago
NBA logo featuring a silhouette of a basketball player dribbling, with "NBA" text below
sports

NBA Reportedly Finalizing Broadcast Deals With NBC, Disney, and Amazon, Throwing Future of 'Inside the NBA' Into Question

Once the deal goes through, the 2024-25 NBA season will be the final time TNT gets to broadcast games.

Mark Elibert713 days ago

Stay ahead on Exclusives

Download the Complex App