When the fans tuned into tonight’s coverage of Game 4 of the NBA Finals, they expected either the Celtics to become Champions or the Mavs to make an epic comeback. But no one could have predicted the heartbreak that was to follow after the game. While discussing Dallas’ win on NBA TV, Hall of Famer Charles Barkley left the NBA World stunned after making a shocking announcement about his future in the media amid TNT’s probable loss of the media rights deal.

With the league’s current media rights deal coming to an end next year and the reports of the new deal going to NBC, it is almost certain that everyone’s beloved Inside The NBA show will have its final TV run next season. And while many believed that Barkley would take up a new job on some other network after his ties with TNT ended, he dropped a bombshell on live TV by announcing his retirement from his legendary media career. “I have made the decision myself, no matter what happens, next year is going to be my last year on television.”

Although Chuck admitted that he has been in talks with other networks for a possible job, he pledged his loyalty to the network he has been on for 24 years, “I am going nowhere other than TNT.” Grateful for the run he has had on Inside The NBA along with his iconic co-panelists Shaq, Kenny, and Ernie, Barkley used the finals platform to thank the entire NBA community for treating him so well for so many decades, first as a player and later as a media personnel. “I just want to say thank you and I wanted y’all to hear from me first,” Barkley added.

Fans in agony after the “End of an Era”

Learning about Barkley’s retirement from TV, fans were left devastated, realizing that the hilarious personality would no longer be on screen to make them chuckle. Of course, us and the fans are not taking it too well. Many fans took to X to express their disbelief, with one writing, “Man they made Charles Barkley retire smh.”

While the new media deal with NBC is reported to bring in a whopping $76 billion to the league and will be a huge economic boost, it has come at a hefty price of Inside The NBA likely going off-air after entertaining everyone for multiple decades.

One heartbroken fan called Barkley’s retirement “end of an era” as after next season, a new panel on a new network might replace the legendary crew, but it won’t be the same.

Joining the show back in 2000, Barkley gave the viewers some of the most hilarious and brutally honest moments that will never be forgotten. Especially his constant banter with Shaq has won every fan’s heart.

Meanwhile, one netizen deemed Adam Silver’s decision to go with NBC an awful one, claiming that it would ruin the sport. While the deal might hurt fans right now, it could bring in a lot more resources and even expansion teams to the league in a few years because of the money it’s bringing in.

While the reaction is justified, many also pointed out that all of this resulted from corporate greed. He might as well pass the baton to Vince Carter or Jamal Crawford.

And one fan just hoped that Barkley’s retirement announcement was rather false, like many players do today. Even LeBron has been hinting at retirement for so long but is still going strong in year 21. So, fans expect the same from Chuck and expect to see him on TV even after the next season.

This Barkley fan was just devastated, claiming that the sports media world would no longer be the same without him. While Barkley said that he would love to pass the baton to newcomers like Jamal Crawford and Vince Carter, no one will probably be able to match the aura of the Round Mound of Rebound.

Despite the announcement, fans were left with little hope that Chuck might continue his media career after next season. But that will only be possible if TNT still gets a chance to cover the NBA and keep Inside The NBA running. “I hope the NBA stays with TNT”, Chuck expressed. If this truly is the end, then fans will be lining up to tune into every episode of Charles Barkley and Inside The NBA’s final season.

Before you go, do not forget to check out what Shaquille O’Neal’s ex-agent, Leonard Armato, has to say about Caitlin Clark’s meteoric rise to stardom. Keep checking this space for more such updates.