Charles Barkley's next year on TNT's NBA coverage will be his final year on television.
During NBA TV's postgame coverage of Game 4 of the NBA Finals, Barkley announced he would be retiring from television following the 2024-25 NBA season. Barkley's announcement comes at a time when the future of the NBA on Turner Sports is hanging in the balance due to the league's negotiation of a new broadcast rights deal.
While Barkley is known for his one-of-a-kind humor, he shared a heartfelt message of gratitude as he delivered the news. Hear the announcement from Barkley and learn more about what's in store for the future.
MORE: The latest news on the future of TNT's NBA coverage
Charles Barkley announces retirement from television
"I wanna say this because you guys are my family," Barkley began. "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.
"There's been a lot of noise around our network the last few months. 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 gonna be my last year on television."
Charles Barkley says he's done doing TV after next season - he's talked to other networks but he's not going anywhere other than Turner/TNT pic.twitter.com/sH89v0tI1D
— CJ Fogler account may or may not be notable (@cjzero) June 15, 2024
Barkley, who joined TNT's "Inside the NBA" in 2000, is preparing for his 25th season working on the Emmy Award-winning studio show. He explained why 25 years marks the perfect stopping point.
MORE: The details of Charles Barkley's contract with Turner Sports
"I just want to say thank you to my NBA family. You guys have been great to me. My heart is full with joy and gratitude, but I'm gonna pass the baton at the end of next year. I hope the NBA stays with TNT, but for me, personally, I wanted you guys to hear from 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 gonna pass the baton to either Jamal Crawford or Vince Carter or you, Steve [Smith], but next year, I'm gonna just retire after 25 years and I just wanted to say 'thank you' and I wanted y'all to hear it from me first."
While it's unclear what the future holds for Turner Sports' basketball coverage, Barkley is intent on passing the torch to one of Crawford, Carter or Smith, who would presumably step in to join the crew that includes Ernie Johnson, Kenny Smith and Shaquille O'Neal.
Barkley, who will turn 62 next February, added that he will shift his focus to being a grandfather. In the meantime, he will enjoy a farewell tour during Turner Sports' coverage of the 2024-25 season and the 2025 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament.
If the last 24 years have been any indicator, Barkley's farewell tour will be one to remember.
How old is Charles Barkley?
Barkley is 61 years old. He was born on Feb. 20, 1963, in Leeds, Ala.
In 2022, Barkley said " I just don't feel the need to work until the day I die. I don't, man," when asked about his future on television. He foreshadowed this recent announcement, saying he planned on working in television for two to three more years.
Two years later, Barkley has stuck to his word.
Charles Barkley contract details
In 2022, Barkley reportedly inked a 10-year deal with TNT that pays "upward of $100 million," but he added an opt-out clause in the event the network loses its NBA license.
With TNT's future of NBA coverage in jeopardy, Barkley alluded to exercising the opt-out by mentioning talks with other networks but will retire and end his career in television.
