Charles Barkley announces he will retire from 25-year television career by the end of 2024-25 season

Barkley will leave television, but the door to the digital space is still open.

Charles Barkley announces he will retire from 25-year television career by the end of 2024-25 season

Charles Barkley has announced that he will leave Inside the NBA and TNT to retire television career after the 2024-25 season

Charles Barkley has been one of the most entertaining analysts in all of the sports. Already a legend on the basketball court, he has become a household name during his 25 years with TNT. He was one of the reasons the Inside the NBA team won multiple Emmy awards. But Barkley had a major announcement to make after Game 4 of the NBA Finals.

While seated with the crew of NBA TV, the Hall of Famer was breaking down what happened in tonight’s Game 4. After that, Charles Barkley decided to drop a bombshell on the basketball lovers.

I really love TNT. All the people who work here. NBA television. You guys have been great to me for 24 years. I just want to say thank you to my entire NBA family. I love you guys. You know, there's been a lot of noise around our network the last few months and I just want to say I've talked to all the other networks, but I ain't going anywhere but TNT. BUT I have made the decision myself. No matter what happens, next year is going to be my last year on television. Next year, I'm going to just retire after 25 years.
Charles Barkley said

This means the 2024-25 season will be the last time the great Round Mound of Rebound will grace the television viewers with his presence. Barkley was thankful to everyone who had been with him through this journey.

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He mentioned that he did speak with other television networks about joining them once TNT’s deal with the NBA expired after the 24-25 season. It was rumored that he was in talks with powerhouse ESPN and also NBC, who have tabled a bid to be the next big broadcaster.

But Barkley had revealed before that it won’t be long before he eventually retired. More importantly, the chemistry of the Inside the NBA crew could not be replicated in any other place, as host Ernie Johnson would never move. There still might be a chance Barkley talks about sports.

Charles Barkley could still continue in the digital space

Charles Barkley knows the importance of taking advantage of his position. Right now, the former league MVP is the most beloved and most sought-after sports analyst. A position that could end up making him money that he had never made before. Therefore, he could continue to talk sports, albeit in the digital space.

Most of the television presenters have branched out and created their own podcasts and talk shows. The success of Shannon Sharpe for instance showed that the digital space can be even more successful than negotiating contracts with television broadcasting companies. Barkley also mentioned that he has his own production company.

Therefore, it would not be foolhardy to think that Charles Barkley will probably have his own show. More importantly, being in the digital space means he can go about his business on his own terms. Television audiences will surely miss him. But he could open up to them and more in the digital world.

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