Charles Barclay is one of the most vital media personalities in the global basketball community, as evidenced by his long tenure on the popular Inside the NBA program. Amid the NBA looking to forge broadcast deals with other networks, Charles Barkley has announced that the 2024-25 NBA season will be his last as a member of Inside the NBA panel.
Charles Barkley, 61, appeared on NBA TV after Game 4 of the NBA Finals series between the Boston Celtics and Dallas Mavericks, with the Mavs handling the ball. Barkley, speaking in his usual manner, previously said he was trying to find ways to keep Inside The NBA, but shocked viewers by announcing his departure during the show.
“I'm not going anywhere but TNT,” Barkley said. “But I've made the decision that, no matter what happens, next year will be my last year on TV. And I just want to say thank you to my NBA family. You guys did great. My heart is full of joy and gratitude.”
Barkley addressed the ongoing negotiations between the NBA and Disney/ABC/ESPN, Amazon, NBC and Warner Bros. Discovery for the league's media rights. From early reports, it appears that Warner Bros. Discovery was the only team to come out as NBC seemingly emerged as the frontrunner, though Adam Silver and the NBA have yet to share details of the potential deals. As it stands, Warner Bros. Discovery owns TNT and Inside the NBA and if a deal doesn't materialize, the show will probably end anyway.
“I hope the NBA stays with TNT, but for me personally, I wanted you to hear it from me. I wanted to tell my family at NBATV and TNT that I'm not going to another network, but I'm going to either Jamal Crawford or Vince Carter or you, Steve. [Smith]Barkley added.
Charles Barkley added a goofy air of authority to the show and his lively and sometimes shrill banter with host Shaquille O'Neal and good-natured banter with Kenny “The Jet” Smith and Ernie “EJ” Johnson Jr.
Barkley has been with the network since 2000.
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Photo: Getty