NBA analyst Charles Barkley speaks on set before the New York Knicks’ game against the Cleveland Cavaliers at what was then Quicken Loans Arena on October 25, 2016 in Cleveland, Ohio.
David Dow | National Basketball Association | Getty Images
Charles Barkley is not retiring or leaving TNT Sports.
The star broadcaster and National Basketball Association Hall of Famer said Tuesday he plans to stay with the team Warner Bros. DiscoveryEven though its TNT sports company does not own NBA media rights.
“I look forward to continuing to work with (TNT Sports), both on our current programming and on new programming we develop together in the future,” Buckley said in a statement. “This is the only place for me. I have to say…leading the team. I’m impressed with how hard they are working to add new properties to TNT Sports, and I’m very excited about them and grateful to all of my colleagues for their continued support, and most importantly, our fans. I will do my best to keep them entertained for years to come.
With the NBA potentially leaving TNT after next season, Barkley’s future becomes uncertain.
Warner Bros. Discovery sued the NBA last month, citing the company’s matching rights to a series of games earmarked for Amazon Prime Video as part of the league’s new media rights deal. NBA rejects Warner Bros. Discovery Channel game as league claims it’s invalid Amazonof games are only available on streaming services. Warner Bros. Discovery Channel will not only broadcast the game live on Max, but it will also air on TNT.
TNT Sports holds media rights to many different sports, including Major League Baseball, the NCAA Men’s Basketball Championship, the National Hockey League and the United States Soccer Federation. Starting next year, the company will add NASCAR, French Open and more than 65 regular-season Big East basketball games.
Starting this year, the Warner Bros. Discovery Center will be home to some of the College Football Playoff games. Buckley will play a role in coverage of some events.
“It’s great to have Charles on board as we develop new content ideas and programming for our fans,” TNT Sports Chairman and CEO Luis Silberwasser said in a statement.
Barkley was one of the stars of the popular NBA studio show “Inside the NBA,” which premiered after TNT acquired NBA rights during the 1989-90 season. He said in June that he planned to retire as a broadcaster after next season.
Barkley: ‘I’m not going anywhere but TNT’ Expressed on June 14. “But I’ve made the decision myself that no matter what happens, next year will be my last year on television.”
Barkley seems hesitant about retirement decision Recently appeared “The Dan Patrick Show” in late July.
“Everything is on the table,” Barkley said of his future job opportunities.
Barkley signed a 10-year contract with TNT Sports in 2022 and is currently entering his 25th year with the company. In May, Barkley said there was an opt-out clause in his contract in case TNT lost NBA rights. A person familiar with the contract language said that was incorrect. Barkley said last month that his contract was worth $210 million over 10 years.
Barkley’s commitment to TNT Sports could close the door on remaking “Inside the NBA” for another network if Warner Bros. Discovery Channel doesn’t launch a full slate of games due to the NBA lawsuit.
About The Author
