Veteran NBA analyst Charles Barkley, who beforehand acknowledged that he deliberate to retire after the 2024-25 season, has reversed course and can stay on with TNT Sports activities for “a few years to return,” the cable community introduced Tuesday in a press release.
TNT is predicted to lose its NBA broadcast rights after the 2024-25 season, however Barkley stays below contract with Warner Bros. Discovery (TNT’s mother or father firm) properly past that, having signed a 10-year, $210M contract in 2022. He has acknowledged that he didn’t intend to simply accept a pay lower, so it appears like TNT intends to honor that contract.
“I like my TNT Sports activities household,” Barkley stated in a press release. “My #1 precedence has been and at all times will likely be our individuals and holding everybody collectively for so long as attainable. We now have probably the most wonderful individuals, and they’re the perfect at what they do. I’m trying ahead to persevering with to work with them each on the exhibits we at present have and new ones we develop collectively sooner or later. That is the one place for me.
“I’ve to say … I’ve been impressed by the management group who’s combating exhausting and have been aggressive in including new properties to TNT Sports activities, which I’m very enthusiastic about. I recognize them and all of my colleagues for his or her continued help, and most significantly our followers. I’m going to provide my all as we hold them entertained for years to return.”
An NBA broadcast associate for a number of a long time, TNT couldn’t attain an settlement within the newest spherical of negotiations because the league struck offers with Disney (ABC/ESPN), NBC and Amazon. TNT tried to train its matching rights on Amazon’s supply, however the NBA rejected it, resulting in a lawsuit from WBD.
Barring an surprising growth, the 2024-25 season will doubtless be TNT’s final as an NBA broadcaster. The favored “Inside The NBA” studio present stars Barkley, Kenny Smith, Shaquille O’Neal and Ernie Johnson might also enter its closing season. Barkley stated final month that he was open to listening to pitches from Disney, NBC, and Amazon and was nonetheless leaning towards retirement, however has now reaffirmed his dedication to TNT for the following a number of years.
Whereas TNT will doubtless now not have NBA broadcasts past 2025, the community airs March Insanity video games and options Barkley on its studio present through the NCAA event. It additionally has the rights to a number of different sports activities and occasions, as TNT Sports activities Chairman & CEO Luis Silberwasser famous in his personal assertion.
“Charles is likely one of the greatest and most beloved sportscasters within the historical past of tv,” Silberwasser stated. “I do know I converse for all members of the TNT Sports activities household after I say we’re extremely thrilled to share this mutual dedication to proceed showcasing Charles’ one-of-a-kind skills and entertain followers properly into the long run.
“We proceed so as to add to the breadth and depth of our sports activities portfolio — together with new properties within the Faculty Soccer Playoffs, Roland-Garros, NASCAR, BIG EAST school basketball, Mountain West soccer, amongst others — and it’s unbelievable to have Charles for this journey as we develop new content material concepts and exhibits for our followers.”
