NBA fans are devastated by the news that Charles Barkley will end his legendary television career at the end of next season.
Following the NBA Finals Game 4 between the Boston Celtics and Dallas Mavericks on Friday night, Barkley revealed that the 2024-2025 campaign will be his last as an analyst after making the decision to hang up his mic after 25 years.
The former Philadelphia 76ers star’s shock announcement comes amid the controversial decision to ax ‘Inside the NBA’ – the show he has worked on since 2000 – at the end of next season, with TNT expected to lose the rights to to showcase the sport.
After hearing Barkley’s decision, fans took to social media to pay tribute to the iconic analyst and call on TNT to find a solution.
One simply wrote: “Man, what a legend.”
NBA fans are crushed by the news that Charles Barkley is retiring as an analyst
Another commented: ‘Nooooo. Say it ain’t so, Chuck!’
“TNT better think of something… sad to see him go,” said a third.
A fourth said: ‘Hey! @NBAonTNT think it’s aht!!!!! What are you doing?! Best program on television.’
While one admitted: ‘Man, why am I choking rn’.
Barkley became emotional as he revealed the news Friday evening and emphasized that he has no plans to work for another broadcaster after next season.
“I’ve been thinking about it guys… I want to say this because you’re my family,” he said.
“I really love TNT, all the people who work here, NBA television, you guys have been great to me for 24 years. I want to thank my entire NBA family, I love you. There has been a lot of noise around our network in recent months.
“I just want to say, I’ve talked to all the other networks, but I’m not going anywhere other than TNT… but I made the decision myself, no matter what happens, next year will be my Last Year on TV.
“My heart is full of joy and gratitude, but I will be passing on the baton at the end of next year. I hope the NBA stays on TNT, but for me personally, I wanted you to hear it from me.”
Barkley’s retirement announcement on Friday devastated fans on social media
“Chuck,” as he has become known, is part of a longtime panel of Inside the NBA, including host Ernie Johnson Jr. (since 1990) and Kenny Smith (since 1998).
Barkley joined in 2000, first sitting alongside Magic Johnson from 2003 to 2007, before Reggie Miller from 2008 to 2011, when Shaquille O’Neal subsequently joined – and the group has remained a fixture on American TV screens.
The show has won 19 Sports Emmys since its inception and is widely considered one of the best sports analysis programs on TV.
However, Inside the NBA will soon be no more, as the show will end after the 2024-2025 season, when TNT loses the rights to show the NBA.
Instead, the league is reportedly signing deals with ESPN, Amazon and NBC totaling $7.4 billion per year.
In light of Barkley’s proposed retirement, fans have criticized the deal that will see TNT lose NBA rights. They claim the sport has lost one of its greatest analysts as a result.
“End of an era… This is your job, TNT,” said one user.
Another concluded: ‘Everything is ruined by money.’
While a third wrote: ‘L honestly by the NBA. Within the NBA, one of the most fun, if not the most fun, about broadcasting the NBA.”
Other users criticized the deal, which is expected to see TNT lose the rights to broadcast the sport
“Chuck,” as he has become known, has long been part of an Inside the NBA panel
He spent 24 years at TNT, 13 of them with his friend Shaquille O’Neal (left)
In recent weeks, Barkley had hinted that he would be open to working for another network, admitting on Friday that he had spoken to rivals before ultimately deciding to hang up his mic.
Barkley also hosted an ill-fated talk show with his longtime friend Gayle King on CNN, titled “King Charles.”
It began airing on November 29 last year, but only ran until April 10 – when the network announced it had “reached the end of its limited run.”
After dropping his retirement bombshell on Friday, Barkley continued to insist he would not be doing any further interviews on the matter, apparently keen to stay out of the spotlight.
“I don’t do interviews anymore,” he said. “Don’t call everyone, no one calls me, I’m not talking about this again. But I wanted to tell my NBA TV and TNT family that 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]. I’m just retiring next year after 25 years and I just wanted to thank you, and I wanted you to hear from me first.”