Charles Barkley is more than just an NBA legend. He's become a broadcasting legend as well.
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So the fact Barkley says he's retiring from broadcasting is news. Barkley, who's been part of TNT's wildly popular and award-winning Inside the NBA for seemingly forever, made the announcement heard 'round the world on Friday on NBA TV.
"I ain't going nowhere other than TNT," Barkley, 61, said on NBATV after the Dallas Mavericks' Game 4 win over the Boston Celtics in the NBA Finals. "But I have made the decision that, no matter what happens, next year is going to be my last year on television. And I just want to say thank you to my NBA family. You guys have been great to me. My heart is full with joy and gratitude."
TNT is expected to lose the NBA to NBC Sports after next season. So there already was a breakup of Barkley, Shaquille O'Neal, Kenny Smith and host Ernie Johnson in the works. (Johnson has said on record he is staying with TNT/Turner Sports.)
Smith and O'Neal could resurface with newcomers NBC or Amazon, though it is Barkley who truly has moved the needle. And if not Barkley, then the entire group together as a team. But all good things come to an end, and Barkley's honest takes on TNT are among them.
"I hope the NBA stays with TNT, but for me personally, I wanted you guys to hear it from me ... I wanted to tell my NBATV and TNT family that I'm not going to another network, but I'm going to pass the baton to either Jamal Crawford or Vince Carter or you Steve [Smith]," Barkley said.
"But next year, I'm going to just retire after 25 years, and I just wanted to say thank you. And I wanted y'all to hear it from me first."
Barkley, 61, remains one of the greatest forwards in NBA history.
(This story appeared on and was republished with permission of Hoops Wire)
