Charles Barkley to Continue with TNT Sports Amid NBA Transition
In an unexpected announcement on Tuesday, TNT Sports confirmed that Charles Barkley will not be retiring from his role, even as the network prepares to lose its NBA broadcasting rights after the upcoming season. Barkley, who is currently in the third season of his lucrative 10-year, $210 million contract, expressed his commitment to the network and its team.
“I love my TNT Sports family,” Barkley, 61, stated in a press release. “My number one priority has always been our people and ensuring that we stay united for as long as possible.” He added, “We have some of the most exceptional talent in the industry, and I’m eager to continue collaborating with them on our existing shows and the new projects we will create together in the future. This is where I belong.”
Barkley had previously attracted interest from major networks such as ESPN, Amazon Prime Video, and NBC, all of which are set to commence their staggering 11-year, $77 billion broadcasting agreements after the current season concludes. In a bid to retain its NBA relationship, TNT Sports is currently embroiled in a legal dispute with the league, having filed a lawsuit after the NBA rejected TNT’s offer to match terms from one of the new television deals with Amazon.
A little over a week ago, Barkley shared with The Athletic that he was open to staying with TNT, provided they honored the full terms of his contract. “My deal is 10 years, $210 million,” he remarked during a phone interview. “Turner has to come to me ASAP and guarantee my entire contract, or they might as well offer me a pay cut, which simply won’t happen. If that’s the case, I’ll become a free agent.”
Now, both parties have reached an understanding that Barkley is here to stay. In the meantime, while TNT Sports endeavors to retain its NBA coverage, Barkley will also participate in the NCAA Tournament broadcasts that TNT collaborates on with CBS. Furthermore, there may be opportunities for him within other sports properties, including the NHL.
As TNT Sports seeks to diversify and expand its programming, it seems plausible that they might either develop a new studio show centered around Barkley or strive to maintain the beloved “Inside The NBA” format even after the NBA’s departure next year.
“Charles is one of the most cherished sportscasters in television history,” remarked Luis Silberwasser, chairman of TNT Sports. “I believe I speak on behalf of the entire TNT Sports family when I say that we are incredibly excited to reaffirm our commitment to showcasing Charles’ unique talents and entertaining fans well into the future.”
“As we continue to enhance the variety and depth of our sports portfolio—including new properties in the College Football Playoffs, Roland-Garros, NASCAR, BIG EAST college basketball, and Mountain West football—it’s fantastic to have Charles on board for this journey as we explore new content ideas and shows for our audience.”
Required reading
- Charles Barkley says he’s retiring, but this story doesn’t feel over
- The eye-popping $77 billion haul that shook up the NBA landscape — and the future of media
(Photo: Megan Briggs / Getty Images)
