Charles Barkley recently made a surprising retirement announcement on NBA TV, stating that the upcoming 2024-25 season would be his last. This announcement caught his cohosts on TNT off guard, including Kenny Smith. Smith expressed his surprise at not being informed personally by Barkley about his decision to retire. Despite the uncertainty surrounding TNT’s future broadcasting games, Barkley made it clear that he intends to step down after the next season.
During his announcement, Barkley thanked the NBA family for their support but did not acknowledge his fellow TNT partners, Smith, Ernie Johnson, and Shaquille O’Neal. Smith, in particular, expressed his disappointment at not being thanked by Barkley. The NBA Hall of Famer’s criticism of TNT’s executives has been well-known, especially as the network faces the possibility of losing NBA coverage after almost forty years.
With current broadcasting deals set to expire after the next season, the NBA is exploring options with various networks and platforms, including ABC-ESPN, Turner Sports, NBC, ESPN, and Amazon. Barkley’s decision to retire and pass on the baton has raised questions about the future of NBA coverage on TNT.
Despite Barkley’s announcement, the uncertainty surrounding TNT’s future and the potential loss of NBA coverage have left fans and industry insiders speculating about what’s to come. As the NBA landscape continues to evolve, the fate of TNT’s longstanding partnership with the league hangs in the balance. The upcoming season will mark the end of an era for Barkley and potentially for TNT’s NBA coverage, as the network faces a new chapter in its broadcasting history.