CHARLES Barkley insisted he wouldn’t want to work for another network after TNT.
Barkley has decided to retire from broadcasting, with TNT likely losing the rights to air the NBA.
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According to reports, the NBA is finalizing a $76 billion extension with ESPN and signing new deals with NBC and Amazon for their media rights.
Barkley, 61, has been with TNT for a quarter century, since retiring from a stellar playing career.
He has been a mainstay on “Inside the NBA on TNT” alongside Ernie Johnson, Kenny “The Jet” Smith and Shaquille O’Neal.
The show is extremely popular with viewers and many will find it unthinkable to watch the NBA without it being on air.
Barkley obviously values his time with the network immensely, as he explained when he was on CNBC’s “Closing Bell” from Lake Tahoe, Nevada, this week.
“I wouldn’t feel comfortable working for another network,” Barkley said.
“I’ve been working with Turner for 25 years and I love everyone at Turner.
“But at this age, to start over, I don’t know if I want to do that.”
Barkley, who revealed his plans to retire during the recent NBA Finals between the Boston Celtics and Dallas Mavericks, also rejected the idea that money will be a factor in changing his mind.
He has one year left on his 10-year, $10 million contract with TNT that will cover the 2024-25 season.
“If I don’t have enough money right now, I’m the biggest idiot and fool in the world,” Barkley said.
“I’ve been very lucky 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’ll be the biggest loser in the world.”
There is still a chance that TNT will match the offers currently presented, but industry experts have suggested in recent weeks and months that such a prospect is unlikely.
“I really feel bad for everyone at TNT,” Barkley said.
“All the people I have worked with over the last 24 years are truly family to me and I really hope we match.
What does the new TV deal mean for the NBA?
By US Sun Assistant Sports Editor Damian Burchardt.
The new television rights deal promises to be a big win for NBA players.
The league is expected to more than double revenue from its media partners, pocketing around $6.9 billion per year, which will inevitably lead to a huge salary cap increase in 2025-26.
This will cause the value of players’ contracts to skyrocket.
Projected numbers suggest we could see the first $100 million per year deal being signed soon.
Boston Celtics All-Star Jayson Tatum is currently set to earn the highest single-season salary in NBA history, bringing in $71.5 million in 2029-30.
It seems like basketball fans would be on the losing side of the fight if the NBA and TNT actually split.
Inside the NBA is a unique sports entertainment program, as evidenced by ESPN’s continued failure to create its own version of the show in recent years.
The NBA won’t be the same without Kenny and Ernie trying to make sense of Shaq and Chuck’s endless fights every Tuesday night.
“Honestly, in my heart, I think we lost the package. That’s my honest opinion.
“But I really hope we can get some last-minute relief for the folks at Turner.”
Barkley played in the NBA for 16 years, for the Philadelphia 76ers, Phoenix Suns and Houston Rockets.
The forward was named the NBA’s Most Valuable Player (MVP) in 1993 and was an 11-time NBA All-Star.
Then came his distinguished career in broadcasting, which currently looks to be over next year.
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