Amid an uncertain future for NBA coverage on TNT, Charles Barkley said he will retire from TV after next year.
“I have made the decision myself, no matter what happens, next year is going to be my last year on television,” Barkley said on NBA TV after Game 4 of the NBA Finals on Friday. “I want to say thank you to my NBA family. … My heart is full with joy and gratitude, but I’m going to pass the baton at the end of next year.
“I hope that the NBA stays with TNT, but for me personally, I wanted you guys to hear it from me.”
Next year will mark Barkley’s 25th working in broadcasting. The NBA Hall of Famer said he’s spoken with other networks and plans to stay with TNT until he retires.
“I really love TNT, all the people who work here, NBA Television. You guys have been great to me for 24 years,” Barkley said. “You know, there’s been a lot of noise around our network the last few months.”
TNT Sports’ future with the NBA remains in limbo with one piece of the NBA’s next television rights deal still up for grabs.
ESPN is set to pay $2.6 billion per season for the NBA Finals and conference finals in an upcoming deal, while Amazon Prime Video will receive a conference final every other year and is expected to be in the $1.8 billion-per-year range, The Athletic previously reported.
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Charles Barkley says he’ll retire from TV after next year, ‘no matter what happens’ with TNT
