Charles Barkley has revealed more about his decision to surprisingly end his broadcasting career following reports that the NBA had finalized a $76 billion contract extension with ESPN and inked new media rights deals with NBC and Amazon.
On Thursday, Chuck appeared on CNBC’s “Closing Bell” from Lake Tahoe, Nevada, where he’s playing in the American Century Championship, explaining his loyalty to TNT and its parent company, Warner Bros. Discovery.
“I wouldn’t feel comfortable going to work for another network,” said Barkley, 61. “I’ve been with Turner for 25 years and I love everyone at Turner.
‘But at this age I don’t know if I want to do that, to start all over again…’
As things stand now, TNT can still make an offer to all possible providers to continue broadcasting matches after next season.
Charles Barkley announced his plans to retire after the 2024-25 NBA season on CNBC on Thursday.
The former 76ers, Suns & Rockets player joined TNT in 2000 to be part of ‘Inside the NBA on TNT’
But as that possibility became increasingly unlikely, Barkley said no amount of money in the world would persuade him to switch networks.
The former 76ers, Rockets and Suns star has one year left on his 10-year, $10 million contract with TNT, which coincides with the network’s agreement with the NBA to broadcast games through the 2024-25 season.
“If I don’t have enough money by now, I’m the biggest idiot and fool in the world,” Barkley said when asked if “financial reasons” would prevent him from retiring.
“I’ve been so fortunate and blessed. I played in the NBA for 15 years. I’ve been on television for 24 years. If I don’t have enough money now, I’m the biggest loser in the world.”
Barkley surprisingly revealed that the next 12 months would be his last with TNT while participating in coverage of Game 4 of the 2024 NBA Finals on June 15.
Barkley (far right) admitted that no amount of money in the world could lure him to one of TNT’s rivals
His comments Thursday come a day after the league signed deals with ESPN, NBC and Amazon to broadcast games for 11 years.
“I feel really bad for everybody at TNT,” Barkley said of the current media rights landscape in professional basketball. “All the people I’ve worked with over the last 24 years… They’re really family to me and I really hope we’re a good fit…
“Honestly, in my heart of hearts I think we’ve lost the package. That’s my honest opinion. But I really hope that we get a last minute extension for the people at Turner.”
Barkley has been a fixture on “Inside the NBA on TNT” since 2000, forming one of the most iconic studio sets in the network’s history along with Ernie Johnson, Kenny “The Jet” Smith and Shaquille O’Neal.
Meanwhile, in June, Barkley threatened to punch a Mavs fan after being trolled about never having won an NBA championship.