Charles Barkley announces plans to retire from television

Charles Barkley announces plans to retire from broadcasting, originally broadcast on NBC Sports Bay Area

After a stunning Game 4 victory for the Dallas Mavericks on Friday night, Charles Barkley had its own wonder to share.

Basketball Hall of Famer and longtime basketball analyst for TNT, CBS Sports and NBA TV said he will retire after the 2024-25 NBA season during post-finals NBA television coverage .

“I just want to say thank you to my NBA family. You have been great to me, my heart is full of joy and gratitude, but I will be passing the baton at the end of next year,” Barkley said.

In his on-air announcement, Barkley also addressed rumors that TNT could lose its rights to broadcast NBA games starting in the 2025-2026 season, when a new broadcast deal is expected to take effect.

The 11-time All-Star made it clear that the possible end of the NBA on TNT had nothing to do with his decision.

“There’s been a lot of noise around our network over the last few months. I just want to say I’ve talked to every other network, but I’m not going anywhere other than TNT,” Barkley said. “But I made the decision myself: whatever happens, next year will be my last year on television.”

The NBA’s current agreements with ABC-ESPN and Turner Sports expire after next season and the league has spoken with NBC, ESPN and Amazon, among other networks and platforms, about moving forward. Commissioner Adam Silver said last week he hoped new long-term deals would be reached soon.

Barkley and his broadcast teammates Ernie Johnson, Shaquille O’Neal and Kenny Smith discussed their uncertain future on their popular studio show “Inside the NBA.” Barkley would appear to attract interest from any network that televises the NBA, but the 61-year-old has decided that 25 years would be enough and he will hopefully “pass the baton” to a TNT teammate such as Vince Carter or Jamal Crawford.

Next season will also mark the 61-year-old’s 25th year covering the NBA.

“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),” Barkley added. “But next year I’m going to retire after 25 years. And I just wanted to say thank you, and I wanted you to hear it from me first.”

The Associated Press contributed to this report.