Basketball Hall of Fame Carlos Barkely announced Friday that he intends to retire from broadcast television at the conclusion of the 2024-2025 NBA season, which will mark the end of his 25 years as an analyst.
The shocking decision comes amid the uncertainty surrounding the NBA media landscape.
The TNT NBA Tip-Off presented by CarMax airs live pre-game on October 24, 2023 at Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado. (Jamie Schwaberow/NBAE via Getty Images)
Barkley, 61, made the revelation on NBA TV after Game 4 of the NBA Finals Friday night. He said that regardless of whether TNT will be able to continue broadcasting games beyond next season, he intends to “pass the baton.”
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“I've been thinking, guys. I want to say this because you are my family. I really love TNT, all the people who work here, NBA Television; you guys have been great to me for 24 years. I just want to say thank you to all my NBA family. “I love you,” Barkley began.
“There's been a lot of noise around our network in the last few months. And I just want to say that I've talked to all the other networks, but I'm not going to go anywhere other than TNT. But I've made the decision. “I myself, no matter what, next year will be my last year on television.
DALLAS, TEXAS – JUNE 14: Charles Barkley speaks to the media before Game 4 of the 2024 NBA Finals between the Dallas Mavericks and the Boston Celtics at American Airlines Center on June 14, 2024 in Dallas, Texas. (Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
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“And I just want to thank my NBA family, you guys have been great to me,” he continued. “My heart is full of joy and gratitude, but I will pass the baton at the end of next year. I hope the NBA stays with TNT, but for me personally, I wanted you to hear it from me personally because I will not do any more interviews.”
Barkley has become a fixture NBA game night. Still, the future of “Inside the NBA” remains an unknown as Warner Bros. Discovery, TNT's parent company, competes for media rights beyond next season.
Current deals with ABC-ESPN and Turner Sports expire after next season and the NBA has been talking to NBC, ESPN and Amazon, among other networks and platforms, about what comes next.
LAS VEGAS, NV – DECEMBER 7: Charles Barkley signs autographs during the season tournament between the New Orleans Pelicans and the Los Angeles Lakers on December 7, 2023 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. (NBA/NBAE photos via Getty Images)
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But Barkley's future will not be affected by those decisions.
“Next year, I'm retiring after 25 years and I just wanted to say thank you and I wanted you guys to hear it from me first,” Barkley said, adding that he'll probably call TNT's Vince Carter. or Jamal Crawford to take his place.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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