Charles Barkley shocked the sports activities media world after saying that he would retire from broadcasting on the conclusion of the 2024-25 NBA season a lot to the dismay of many. The Corridor of Fame hooper has since walked again these feedback, saying that he intends to stay round within the sales space for the foreseeable future.
Charles Barkley, 61, shocked viewers throughout this yr’s NBA Finals between the Boston Celtics and Dallas Mavericks, citing the present shakeup within the media panorama relating to the NBA rights going to different networks and reportedly ending the take care of TNT and Warner Bros. Discovery.
“There’s been a variety of noise round our community the previous couple of months and I simply need to say I’ve talked to all the opposite networks, however I ain’t going nowhere apart from TNT,” Barkley mentioned throughout a postgame chat in the course of the Finals.
The feedback from “The Chuckster” had been fueled by the NBA’s expiring offers with ABC/ESPN and Turner Sports activities, the latter of which Inside The NBA airs on its TNT community. As has been extensively reported, the NBA reached agreements with NBC, ESPN, and Amazon, successfully ending the Turner Sports activities connection though the corporate says it should proceed to try to retain some rights past subsequent season.
By way of an announcement, Barkley said his intentions to work past the next season whereas giving reward to his present community:
“I like my TNT Sports activities household. My (primary) 1 precedence has been and at all times might be our individuals and protecting everybody collectively for so long as attainable. We’ve essentially the most wonderful individuals, and they’re one of the best at what they do. I’m trying ahead to persevering with to work with them each on the exhibits we at present have and new ones we develop collectively sooner or later. That is the one place for me, Barkley mentioned. “I’ve to say — I’ve been impressed by the management crew who’s combating exhausting and have been aggressive in including new properties to TNT Sports activities, which I’m very enthusiastic about. I admire them and all of my colleagues for his or her continued assist, and most significantly our followers. I’m going to provide my all as we preserve them entertained for years to return.”
Warner Bros. Discovery, which owns TNT Sports activities, has filed a lawsuit in opposition to the NBA, as reported by the Sports activities Enterprise Journal. Within the go well with, Warner says that the league uncared for the corporate’s matching provide, which Warner belives forcibly denied them the chance to acquire a package deal from the NBA.
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Photograph: Getty
