For over three decades, TNT and NBA created an unforgettable experience for basketball fans, with classic commentary and iconic scoreboards lighting up each game. But change is here. The NBA’s new deal with Amazon means the end of TNT’s broadcasts after this season. Fans may be wondering what happens to the team that made watching the NBA such a thrill, and so is Charles Barkley. With his years on Inside the NBA coming to a close, Barkley’s own future feels uncertain.

Charles Barkley joined The Dan Patrick Show to chat about the current NBA scene, his playing days, and what’s next for him. The end of Inside the NBA is set for next year, and with no new gig lined up yet, Barkley seems to be taking matters into his own hands. Turning to Patrick, he joked, “Can I put you on my LinkedIn thing as a reference?” As Patrick laughed and agreed, Barkley added, “I’m trying to get my famous friends all lined up in case I have to use them as a LinkedIn reference.”

Patrick, with humor, praised him, calling him “the great Charles Barkley.” Yet, it’s a bit surprising to see Barkley asking for Patrick’s help, considering their history. Back in 1993, Patrick didn’t pick Barkley as his top MVP choice, favoring Magic Johnson instead. And Barkley, who’s never been one to let things go quietly, remembered it well.

In a candid moment, Patrick confessed he’d placed Barkley second in the MVP vote that year, which Barkley accepted, but he couldn’t resist bringing up the 1988 MVP race with Johnson. Barkley, who was Philly’s standout that year, recalled thinking, “I knew it was going to come down to the wire.”

As it turns out, Barkley actually received more first-place votes than the MVP winner. “I don’t mind losing,” he admitted, “but y’all… I’m at least second, worst case scenario third.” To Barkley, honesty is key. He insists, “Our job on television is to be fair and honest,” and he hopes future MVP voting will hold to those same standards.

However, as Chuck urged help for a new job, is Chuck’s future really uncertain?

Chuck’s future plan

Though Charles Barkley hinted at stepping away, he’s sticking with TNT for now, putting fans’ minds at ease. During the NBA Finals, he’d teased about leaving regardless of how the NBA’s new media deals turned out. But signing a 10-year contract in 2022 signaled he wasn’t ready to hang up his analyst hat yet, giving fans hope he’ll keep his courtside banter going for the foreseeable future.

More than just a job, Chuck’s commitment to TNT is deeply personal. He’s described the network as his “family,” saying, “My No. 1 priority has been and always will be our people.” And it’s not just the shows that keep him around—he’s genuinely excited about the potential new projects TNT could bring to the table.

What makes Barkley’s decision even more admirable is the sacrifice behind it. On a recent podcast with Dan Le Batard, Chuck revealed he left at least $100 million “on the table” to stay with Turner Sports, adding, “The No. 1 thing for me is my people from Turner get to keep their jobs for at least another year.”

As TNT Sports Chairman Luis Silberwasser put it, “Charles is one of the best and most beloved sportscasters in the history of television.” With such respect from his team and the admiration of fans, Chuck’s future at TNT seems bright—even as the sports media landscape keeps shifting.