When Charles Barkley suggested he was going to retire earlier this year amid TNT’s contract woes with the NBA, many observers met the claim with healthy skepticism.
As a player and commentator, Barkley built a reputation for saying things that made people take notice. And in mid-June, he said he planned to retire on “Inside the NBA” with TNT expected to lose their NBA rights after the 2024-25 season.
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In an article in The Athletic on Friday Barkley, 61, said he was still planning on retiring, but sounded even less convincing and talked about other options.
This was Barkley on June 15:
“I have made the decision myself, no matter what happens, next year is going to be my last year on television,” Barkley said after Game 4 of the NBA Finals on Friday. “I want to say thank you to my NBA family. … My heart is full with joy and gratitude, but I’m going to pass the baton at the end of next year. I hope that the NBA stays with TNT, but for me personally, I wanted you guys to hear it from me. … I really love TNT, all the people who work here, NBA Television. You guys have been great to me for 24 years.”
But on Friday he was at least starting after the NBA announced that TNT would not be among the league’s broadcast partners (ESPN, NBC and Amazon) after next year. Turner is suing the NBA after the NBA rejected TNT Sports’ matching rights.
“My deal is 10 years, $210 million,” Barkley told The Athletic. “Turner has to come to me ASAP and they have to guarantee my whole thing or they can offer me a pay cut, which there is no chance of that happening and I’ll be (a) free agent.”
“Right now, I’m planning on retiring,” Barkley said. “I’m not trying to do anything.”
But he also said he’s been talking with ESPN, NBC and Amazon.
“But from a compensation standpoint, I said, ‘I will sit down and see what y’all are going to have going forward,’” Barkley said. “I’ve been straight honest with all the companies.”
