NBA fans were devastated by the news that Charles Barkley will end his legendary television career at the end of next season.
Speaking after Game 4 of the NBA Finals between the Boston Celtics and the Dallas Mavericks on Friday night, Barkley revealed that the 2024-25 campaign will be his last as an analyst after making the decision to hang up the microphone after 25 years.
The former Philadelphia 76ers star’s surprising announcement comes alongside the controversial decision to eliminate ‘Inside the NBA,’ the show he has worked on since 2000, at the end of next season, with TNT expected to lose the rights to show the sport.
After hearing Barkley’s decision, fans took to social media to pay tribute to the iconic analyst and ask TNT to find a solution.
One simply wrote: “Man what a legend.”
NBA fans were devastated by the news that Charles Barkley is retiring as an analyst.
Another commented: ‘Nooooo. Say it ain’t so, Chuck!
“TNT better figure something out…sad to see him go,” said a third.
A fourth said: ‘Hey!!! @NBAonTNT !!!!!!!! What are you doing?! The best show on television.’
While one admitted: ‘Man, why am I drowning?’
Barkley was emotional as he revealed the news Friday night and emphasized that he has no intention of working for another station after next season.
“I’ve been thinking guys… I want to say this, because you are my family,” he said.
“I really love TNT, all the people who work here, NBA television, you guys have been great to me for 24 years. I want to thank my entire NBA family, I love you guys. There’s been a lot of noise on our network in the last few years. last months.
“I just want to say that I’ve talked to all the other networks, but I’m not going anywhere else but TNT… but I’ve made the decision myself, whatever happens, next year will be my year.” past on television.
‘My heart is full of joy and gratitude, but I will pass the baton at the end of next year. I hope the NBA sticks with TNT, but I personally wanted you to know it from me.’
Barkley’s retirement announcement on Friday left fans devastated on social media.
‘Chuck,’ as he is known, is part of a long-standing panel on Inside the NBA that includes host Ernie Johnson Jr. (since 1990) and Kenny Smith (since 1998).
Barkley joined in 2000 and first sat alongside Magic Johnson from 2003 to 2007, before Reggie Miller from 2008 to 2011, when Shaquille O’Neal then joined, and the group has remained a regular fixture on shows. American television screens.
The show has won 19 Sports Emmy Awards since its inception and is widely considered one of the best sports analysis shows on television.
However, Inside the NBA will soon cease to exist, and the show will end after the 2024-25 season, when TNT loses the rights to show the NBA.
Instead, the league is reportedly closing deals with ESPN, Amazon and NBC for a combined $7.4 billion a year.
In light of Barkley’s proposed retirement, fans have criticized the deal that will see TNT lose the rights to the NBA, claiming that the sport has lost one of its best analysts as a result.
‘End of an era… This is on your TNT,’ said one user.
Another concluded: “Everything is ruined by money.”
While a third wrote: ‘L for the NBA honestly. Within the NBA it is one of the best things, if not the best, about NBA broadcasts.
Other users criticized the deal in which TNT is expected to lose the rights to broadcast the sport.
‘Chuck’, as he is known, is part of the long-standing Inside the NBA panel.
He has spent 24 years at TNT, 13 of which with his friend Shaquille O’Neal (left)
In recent weeks, Barkley had hinted that he might be open to working for another network and admitted Friday that he had spoken to rivals before finally deciding to hang up the microphone.
Barkley also hosted an ill-fated talk show alongside his old friend Gayle King on CNN, titled ‘King Charles.’
It began airing on November 29 of last year, but only ran until April 10, when the network announced that it had “reached the end of its limited run.”
After dropping the bombshell of his retirement on Friday, Barkley insisted he will not do any more interviews on the topic, apparently keen to stay out of the spotlight.
“I won’t do any more interviews,” he said. ‘Don’t call, don’t let anyone call me, I’m not going to talk about this again. But I wanted to tell my NBA TV and TNT family that I will not go to another network.
‘But I’m going to pass the baton to Jamal Crawford or Vince Carter, or to you, Steve (Smith). Next year I’m retiring after 25 years and I just wanted to thank you and I wanted you to know it from me first.’
