Charles Barkley announces retirement from television after 2024-25 NBA season

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Basketball legend Charles Barkley has announced he will retire from television after 25 years, at the end of the 2024-25 NBA season.

Barkley, who regularly appears with Shaquille O’Neal on TNT’s “Inside the NBA,” said his heart was “full of joy and gratitude” but it was time for him to pass the baton.

The star player-turned-commentator made the announcement on NBATV, following the Dallas Mavericks’ Game 4 win over the Boston Celtics on Friday night.

“I want to say that because you are my family. I really love TNT, all the people who work here, NBA television – you’ve been great to me for 25 years, and I just want to say thank you to my entire NBA family. I love you guys,” he said.

“You know, there’s been a lot of noise around our network over the last few months, and I just want to say I’ve talked to all the other networks – I won’t go anywhere other than TNT, but I I made the decision myself – whatever happens, next year will be my last year on television.

“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.

Barkley added that he won’t do any more interviews after he retires. “Don’t call me. No one calls me, I don’t talk about this again,” he said.

Barkley said he would likely give the role to other former NBA stars, Jamal Crawford or Vince Carter, who already make appearances on “Inside the NBA.”

Known to fans and television colleagues as “Chuck,” Barkley played 16 seasons in the NBA as a power forward. He became one of the best rebounders and scorers in the league and is considered one of the best in history to play the position.

He is an 11-time NBA All-Star, 11-time All-NBA team member, and 1993 Most Valuable Player. He was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2006.

After his playing career, he became a fan favorite, known for his extremely blunt stances on NBA games and his verbal jousts with O’Neal.

Barkley’s exit coincides with the expiration of Warner Bros.’ media rights deal. Discovery with the NBA after next season.