Charles Barkley‘s television broadcast career is coming to an end.
The 61-year-old former NBA basketball player announced that he is retiring from broadcasting after the next season.
Charles, who retired from playing after the 1999-2000 season, made his announcement after the fourth game of the NBA Finals between the Boston Celtics and the Dallas Mavericks.
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“There’s been a lot of noise around our network the last few months. I just want to say, I talked to all the other networks, but I ain’t going nowhere other than TNT. But I have made the decision myself, no matter what happens, next year is going to be my last year on television,” he shared, via Deadline. “I just want to say thank you to my NBA family. You guys have been great to me, my heart is full with joy and gratitude, but I’m going to pass the baton at the end of next year. I hope the NBA stays with TNT … I’m not going to another network, but I’m going to pass the baton to Jamal Crawford or Vince Carter or you, Steve [Smith], but next year, I’m just going to retire after 25 years.”
Throughout his time as a sports analyst on TNT, Charles has won four Sports Emmy Awards for Outstanding Studio Analyst.
Back in 2022, he signed a 10-year contract extension with Warner Bros Discovery Sports, who owns the TNT network.