Charles Barkley announces plans to retire from television next year amid NBA media rights uncertainty

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Basketball Hall of Famer Charles Barkely announced Friday that he intends to retire from broadcast television at the conclusion of the 2024-2025 NBA season, which will mark the end of his 25 years as an analyst.  

The shocking decision comes amid uncertainty surrounding the NBA’s media landscape. 

The TNT NBA Tip-Off presented by CarMax broadcasts live before the game on October 24, 2023, at the Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado.  (Jamie Schwaberow/NBAE via Getty Images)

Barkley, 61, made the revelation on NBA TV following Game 4 of the NBA Finals on Friday night. He said that regardless of whether TNT is able to continue broadcasting games beyond next season, he intends to "pass on the baton." 

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"I’ve been thinking, guys. I want to say this because you guys are my family. I really love TNT, all the people who work here, NBA Television – you guys have been great to me for 24 years. I just want to say thank you to my entire NBA family. I love you guys," Barkley began.  

"There’s been a lot of noise around our network the last few months. And I just want to say, I’ve talked to all the other networks, but I ain’t going nowhere other than TNT. But I have made the decision myself, no matter what happens, next year is going to be my last year on television." 

Charles Barkley talks with the media prior to Game Four of the 2024 NBA Finals between the Dallas Mavericks and the Boston Celtics at American Airlines Center on June 14, 2024, in Dallas, Texas.  (Stacy Revere/Getty Images)

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