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Charles Barkley is TNT Sports. And TNT Sports is Charles Barkley.
That axiom was reinforced Tuesday as Sir Charles issued a statement declaring he’s changed his mind about retiring from TV—and plans to remain with his work “family” at TNT.
“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. 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,” said the five-time Emmy winner in a statement. “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.”
Luis Silberwasser, chairman and CEO of TNT Sports, said in a statement: “Charles is one of the best and most beloved sportscasters in the history of television. I know I speak for all the members of the TNT Sports family when I say we are incredibly thrilled to share this mutual commitment to continue showcasing Charles’s one-of-a-kind talents and entertain fans well into the future.”
Barkley signed a 10-year, $210 million contract extension with TNT in 2022. In June, Barkley announced that his 25th season with TNT’s Inside the NBA for the 2024–2025 season would be his last. But that threat always appeared to be a last-ditch Hail Mary by Barkley to try to help his longtime colleagues at TNT hang on to their jobs.
It remains to be seen whether TNT’s legal challenge to retain its 40-year relationship with the NBA will succeed. Even if it doesn’t, TNT wants Barkley to chip in across its sports programming lineup, whether it’s March Madness, college basketball and football, the NHL, and made-for-TV golf events such as “The Match.”
In media appearances this summer, Barkley confirmed ESPN, NBC Sports, and Amazon Prime Video reached out to him about possibly jumping ship. But for now, Barkley’s loyalty to his TNT family has won out.
Could he change his mind? Of course. Barkley has the contractual right to opt out whenever TNT loses NBA rights, which would be after this coming NBA season if it fails in court. The statements from Barkley and TNT said nothing about his long-term future, although Barkley’s statement did refer to “years,” plural, to come. But Barkley is an unpredictable force of nature who ripped his bosses at Warner Bros. Discovery as “clowns” and “fools” for bungling the NBA rights negotiation. More recently, he turned his guns on NBA owners for choosing Amazon’s “money” over the TV needs of fans.
“Clearly, the NBA has wanted to break up with us from the beginning,” he said. “I’m not sure TNT ever had a chance. TNT matched the money, but the league knows Amazon and these tech companies are the only ones willing to pay for the rights when they double in the future. The NBA didn’t want to piss them off. It’s a sad day when owners and commissioners choose money over the fans. It just sucks.”
Barkley’s a one-of-a-kind talent. His statement of loyalty is the best news to hit TNT in a long time. If he chose to become a free agent, Barkley could command $25 million to $30 million on the open market. But for now, he’s staying with TNT. I can’t wait to watch a totally unplugged Sir Charles chop it up with Shaquille O’Neal, Kenny Smith, and Ernie Johnson this coming season.
