“I’m Not Going to Another Network”: Charles Barkley Job Hunting Stops In Shocking Decision Over 25-Year-Long Career

It’s official. After 25 years, Charles Barkley will call it a wrap on his TV career. Irrespective of whether the NBA stays at TNT or not, the next season might be the final time we see Chuckster be his unfiltered self on TV. True to form, he announced it himself on NBA TV after Game 4 in Dallas. Depending on whether TNT can work out a new deal with the NBA, the 2024-25 season might be the last time inside the NBA is on air. There was chatter that Chuck, with Shaq and Kenny, could go to NBC or ESPN. But Chuck halted all speculation about his future.

At the NBA TV desk, he started by saying, “I’ve been thinking guys, I want to say this because you guys are my family. I really love TNT, all the people who work here in NBA Television. You guys have been great to me for 24 years. I want to say thank you to my entire NBA family. I love you guys. There’s been a lot of noise around our network [TNT], the last few months, and I just want to say, I’ve not talked to all the other networks, but I ain’t going nowhere other than TNT.” But he won’t be staying at TNT either. After 2025, there will no longer be Analyst Chuck on TV.

“no matter what happens, next year’s gonna be my last year on television,” Chuck added. He also stated he won’t discuss it elsewhere. The only reason he opened up before the crew at the NBATV was because he wanted them to hear it from him. He also ensured to convey to the NBA and TNT family that his loyalty lay with them by stating he wouldn’t move to another network.

It may not be related to the NBA media rights at all as many believe. Barkley and the Inside Guys signed purported $100 million contract extensions for 10 years in 2022. But Chuck had no intention of seeing the end of that contract. His contract had a ‘free agency’ clause to walk away when he decided to.

Last year, he was a bit nonchalant about the NBA media rights negotiation, content that he won’t stick around to see how the new structure is implemented. He was hinting at retirement as soon as the existing TNT media runs out. Interestingly, when he signed a contract extension around 2015, he said he doesn’t want to be working at 60. He’s 61 one now and jokes he doesn’t want to be working at 70.

A few days ago, he was joking he’s on the job hunt on LinkedIn because the Turner execs have botched the negotiations. NBA is reportedly in the final stages of finalizing a deal with Amazon, ESPN, and NBC though TNT is trying to get a fourth media package with limited NBA content. The downsized package could mean an end to its flagship show, Inside the NBA staring Chuck, Shaquille O’Neal, Kenny “The Jet” Smith and The Godfather Ernie Johnson.

Barkley was even joking he’d gladly go over to ESPN to keep a job and put his toddler grandkids through college. But he’s put all speculation to rest about the future of his sportscasting career and ready for a new panel in the new NBA media era.

Charles Barkley is already looking for a successor

After Inside the NBA began in 1989 with a rotation of analysts, Kenny and Chuck were its first permanent analysts straight out of their NBA careers. Barkley catapulted himself and the show to prominence as soon as he arrived in 2000. The current version of the show has been a staple since Shaq joined in 2011. The Emmy-winning studio analyst is simply grateful for the quarter century of memories.

“I just want to say thank you to my NBA family, you guys have been great to me, my heart is full of joy and gratitude. But I’m going to pass the baton at the end of next year.” He’s been hoping that no jobs are lost in the changes coming to TNT but he’s ready to walk away on his own terms. “I hope the NBA stays with TNT,” he said before adding that he is going to pass the baton to Jamal Crawford, Vince Carter or Steve Smith, but only next year. After 25 years.

Crawford and Carter have had guest appearances on Inside the NBA. Jamal has earned a permanent spot on TNT Tuesday too. Draymond Green has spent his offtime since the play-in exit at TNT too but he’s not looking at retirement. Whoever succeeds Chuck, it’s going to be a memorable season next year.