Amanda Knapp
Charles Barkley is a former NBA superstar who joined TNT in 2000 and has been a part of the iconic Inside the NBA show, which has won 21 Sports Emmy Awards. Barkley has taken home five Sports Emmys for Outstanding Studio Analyst. In 2024, Barkley announced that he intended to remain with TNT Sports through the remainder of his contract, reversing his earlier announcement that the 2024-25 season would be his last on television. With TNT no longer broadcasting NBA games, Barkley's future with the network was uncertain, but he has since confirmed his long-term commitment to TNT, stating that this is the only place for me.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Is Charles Barkley still on TNT Basketball? | Yes |
| Date of confirmation | 6 August 2024 |
| Statement | "I love my TNT Sports family. My No. 1 priority has always been our people and keeping everyone together for as long as possible. We have the most amazing people, and they are the best at what they do. I'm looking forward to continuing to work with them both on the shows we currently have and the new ones we develop together in the future. This is the only place for me." |
| TNT's response | "Charles is one of the best and most beloved sportscasters in the history of television. I know I speak for all the members of the TNT Sports family when I say we are incredibly thrilled to share this mutual commitment to continue showcasing Charles' one-of-a-kind talents and entertain fans well into the future." |
| Future at TNT | Barkley intends to remain with TNT Sports through the remainder of his 10-year contract extension, signed in 2022. |
| Other TNT shows | Listen Up! Charles Barkley with Ernie Johnson, The Race Card (renamed American Race), King Charles (CNN) |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Charles Barkley's long-term commitment to TNT Sports
Charles Barkley has confirmed his long-term commitment to TNT Sports, stating that he will not retire and intends to remain with the network through the remainder of his contract. This comes despite previous speculation that he might leave TNT as the network is set to stop broadcasting NBA games after the 2024-25 season.
Barkley, a Hall of Fame player and award-winning studio analyst, joined TNT in 2000 and has been a key part of the network's iconic "Inside the NBA" show, which has won 21 Sports Emmy Awards. In May, he took home his fifth Sports Emmy for Outstanding Studio Analyst.
In a statement, Barkley emphasised his love for the TNT Sports family and his priority to keep the team together:
> "My No. 1 priority has been and always will be our people and keeping everyone together for as long as possible. We have the most amazing people, and they are the best at what they do. I’m looking forward to continuing to work with them both on the shows we currently have and new ones we develop together in the future. This is the only place for me."
TNT Sports Chairman and CEO Luis Silberwasser also expressed his enthusiasm for Barkley's continued commitment:
> "Charles is one of the best and most beloved sportscasters in the history of television. I know I speak for all the members of the TNT Sports family when I say we are incredibly thrilled to share this mutual commitment to continue showcasing Charles' one-of-a-kind talents and entertain fans well into the future."
While the future of "Inside the NBA" remains uncertain, with the show's other members, Ernie Johnson, Shaquille O'Neal, and Kenny Smith, facing potential changes, Barkley's long-term commitment to TNT Sports demonstrates his dedication to the network and his desire to continue entertaining sports fans for years to come.
Cheerleader Chaos: Ferrell's Basketball Antics
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Barkley's former role as an NBA player
Charles Barkley is a retired NBA player who had a 16-year career in the league. Despite being listed at 6'6" (198 cm), he was actually closer to 6'4" (193 cm), making him an undersized power forward. However, this didn't stop him from dominating players who were half a foot taller. Barkley was known for his rebounding skills and low-post dominance, earning him the nicknames "Sir Charles" and "The Round Mound of Rebound".
Barkley was drafted by the Philadelphia 76ers with the fifth overall pick in the 1984 NBA Draft. He quickly made an impact in his rookie season, averaging 14.9 points and 11.1 rebounds during the team's postseason run. In his second season, he continued to impress, finishing second in the league in rebounding with 12.8 rebounds per game and second on the team in scoring at 20.0 points per game. Barkley spent eight seasons with the 76ers, leading them in rebounding and field-goal percentage for seven consecutive seasons, and in scoring for six straight years.
In 1992, Barkley joined the Phoenix Suns and was voted the league's MVP while leading the team to the NBA Finals. He also competed in the 1992 and 1996 Olympic Games, winning two gold medals as a member of the U.S. national team. In the 1996-97 season, Barkley was traded to the Houston Rockets, where he had a veteran team that included NBA greats Hakeem Olajuwon and Clyde Drexler. Despite battling injuries, he became the team's second-leading scorer, averaging 19.2 points per game.
Barkley retired as one of only four players in NBA history to record at least 20,000 points, 10,000 rebounds, and 4,000 assists. He was an 11-time NBA All-Star and a two-time inductee into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. In recognition of his achievements, his number 34 jersey was retired by Auburn University in 2001.
The Men's Basketball Portal: Closing Dates and Deadlines
You may want to see also
Explore related products
TNT's loss of NBA broadcasting rights
Turner, the parent company of TNT Sports, has had an NBA package since 1984, with games being broadcast on TNT since 1988 or 1989. However, in 2024, the relationship between the NBA and Turner began to sour when Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav commented that Turner and WBD "don't have to have the NBA."
In 2024, Warner Bros. Discovery sued the NBA after the league did not accept the company's matching offer for one of the packages in its new 11-year media rights deal, which will begin with the 2025-26 season. This deal, worth $76 billion, will see the NBA broadcast on ESPN, ABC, NBC, and Amazon Prime Video. As a result, TNT is set to lose its NBA live game broadcasting rights following the 2024-25 season, marking the end of a decades-long partnership.
Despite TNT's loss of NBA broadcasting rights, Charles Barkley, a Hall of Fame player and award-winning studio analyst, has expressed his intention to remain with TNT Sports through the remainder of his contract. Barkley, who joined TNT in 2000, has become a beloved figure in sports broadcasting, known especially for his work on the iconic "Inside the NBA" show. While the show will continue, it will now be licensed by ESPN and broadcast from ESPN and ABC networks.
It is unclear what Barkley's future holds beyond his current contract with TNT, especially given the loss of NBA broadcasting rights. However, TNT has expanded its sports portfolio in recent years, adding the NHL, NCAA men's basketball tournament, College Football Playoff, Big East basketball, NASCAR, and the French Open. Thus, Barkley may continue his broadcasting career with TNT, covering these other sports.
Bases on a Basketball Court: How Many?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Barkley's work on 'Inside the NBA'
Charles Barkley has been a part of the iconic "Inside the NBA" show on TNT since 2000. He joined a veteran team that included Julius Erving, Moses Malone, and Maurice Cheeks. Barkley is known for his bold and sometimes controversial statements on the air. For instance, in 2002, he told his co-host Kenny Smith that he would "kiss [his] ass" if a rookie scored 19 points in a game, which the rookie did. As a result, Barkley kissed the rear end of a donkey that Smith brought into the studio.
Barkley has won five Sports Emmy Awards for "Outstanding Studio Analyst" for his work on TNT. He was also popular with fans and media during his playing career, making the NBA's All-Interview Team for his last 13 seasons in the league.
In 2022, Warner Bros. Discovery Sports announced a 10-year contract extension for Barkley, which he called "a life-altering deal." However, in June 2024, Barkley announced his intention to retire from television following the 2024-25 NBA season. He later reversed this decision in August, deciding to stay with TNT Sports and honour his contract.
Barkley has contributed to NCAA men's basketball tournament coverage on TNT for years. In 2022, a new media rights agreement was reached, ensuring that Barkley and the rest of the "Inside the NBA" team will be together for many more seasons.
Despite TNT losing the rights to broadcast NBA games, Barkley has committed to staying with the network. He has expressed his love for the TNT Sports family and his desire to keep working with them on existing and new shows.
Barkley's work on "Inside the NBA" has been influential, with some segments becoming famous and referenced in other media. The show has won 21 Sports Emmy Awards and served as a model for other studio shows.
The Origin of Badminton: A Historical Perspective
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Barkley's other TV work
Charles Barkley has had a successful career as an NBA analyst since retiring as a player. He works for Turner Network Television (TNT) on Inside the NBA as a studio pundit for its coverage of NBA games. He has won four or five Sports Emmy Awards for this work.
Barkley has also worked for CBS Sports and has appeared as himself in several TV shows, including Apple TV's show about a charity basketball game, and an episode of Modern Family, where he appears on a talk show. He has also appeared in TV commercials for Right Guard deodorant.
Barkley has also acted in TV shows and films, including Hot Shots! and Space Jam, and was an executive producer on Inside the NBA in 2022. He has written several books and has expressed an interest in politics, supporting Democrat Doug Jones in the 2017 United States Senate special election in Alabama.
Badminton Bag: Size and Storage Secrets
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Yes, Charles Barkley has confirmed that he will remain with TNT Sports through the remainder of his contract.
Charles Barkley has been a part of the iconic "Inside the NBA" show since 2000, as well as "Listen Up! Charles Barkley with Ernie Johnson", "The Race Card" (later renamed "American Race"), and "King Charles" with Gayle King.
Charles Barkley has worked for CBS Sports, CNN, and Turner Sports.
