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Charles Barkley changes mind on retirement, reaffirms ‘long-term commitment’ to TNT Sports

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Charles Barkley changes mind on retirement, reaffirms ‘long-term commitment’ to TNT Sports

NEW YORK, NEW YORK – MAY 15: Charles Barkley attends the Warner Bros. Discovery Upfront 2024 on May 15, 2024 in New York City. (Photo by Mike Coppola/Getty Images for Warner Bros. Discovery)

Charles Barkley won’t be retiring from broadcasting after the 2024-25 NBA season after all.

TNT Sports announced on Tuesday that the basketball Hall of Famer and “Inside the NBA” co-host has “reaffirmed his long-term commitment” to the network that will see him “exclusively contribute for many years to come.”

Barkley said during the NBA Finals in June that he would retire from broadcasting after the upcoming season.

“I love my TNT Sports family,” Barkley said in a statement. “My #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. I have to say … I’ve been impressed by the leadership team who is fighting hard and have been aggressive in adding new properties to TNT Sports, which I am very excited about. I appreciate them and all of my colleagues for their continued support, and most importantly our fans. I’m going to give my all as we keep them entertained for years to come.”

The NBA announced in July that TNT’s parent company, Warner Bros. Discovery, had failed to match Amazon Prime’s portion of the new media rights deal. The deal cements renewed NBA coverage on ESPN, as well as a return to NBC and the addition of games on Amazon.

Although WBD promised to “take appropriate action,” the 2024-25 NBA season will likely be the end of TNT’s 35-year relationship with the league.

Barkley, who is entering his 25th season with TNT, signed a 10-year agreement with the network in 2022.

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