It's not often a pregame, halftime or postgame show is better than the actual game, but it's sometimes true when Charles Barkley is on the desk.
Barkley has established himself as one of the premier basketball personalities across NBA and college hoops, and there was a chance his run at TNT was coming to an end.
The former MVP is an analyst on TNT's "Inside the NBA," which features Shaquille O'Neal, Ernie Johnson and Kenny Smith. The popular show is nearing its final season in 2024-25 after the NBA signed a new TV rights deal without Turner Sports included.
What does that outcome mean for Barkley's time at TNT? The Sporting News has you covered with the latest updates below.
Charles Barkley contract details
Barkley was ready for this possibility two years ago.
The "Inside the NBA" analyst signed a 10-year deal with TNT in 2022 that pays him "upward of $100 million," but he added an opt-out clause in the event the network loses its NBA license.
"I wanted to make sure that if we lost the NBA in 2 years, I could be a free agent," - Charles Barkley on if TNT loses the NBA TV rights.
— ESPN Cleveland (@ESPNCleveland) May 1, 2024
Charles also talks about the future of 'Inside the NBA' pic.twitter.com/hyDIVcUapy
Amidst the NBA's TV rights negotiations, Barkley somewhat surprisingly teased the idea of retirement just two years into his contract.
On Aug. 6, it became clear that Barkley's threat was a tactic to put some pressure on his broadcast company as the beloved TV personality vowed to follow through on his deal.
“I love my TNT Sports family. My #1 priority has been and always will be our people and keeping everyone together for as long as possible," Barkley said in an official statement with Warner Bros. Discovery.
"We have the most amazing people, and they are the best at what they do. I’m looking forward to continuing to work with them both on the shows we currently have—and new ones we develop together in the future. This is the only place for me.
“I have to say…I’ve been impressed by the leadership team who is fighting hard and have been aggressive in adding new properties to TNT Sports, which I am very excited about. … I’m going to give my all as we keep them entertained for years to come.”
