Charles Barkley to Retire From ‘Inside the NBA’

Charles Barkley, part of the award-winning “Inside the NBA” studio, will retire from TV next year.

Barkley, a basketball hall of famer who built a second career as a sports commentator on TNT, announced his retirement Friday after the Dallas Mavericks’ victory over the Boston Celtics in game 4 of the NBA Finals.

“I ain’t going nowhere other than TNT. But I have made the decision that no matter what happens, next year is going to be my last year on television,” said Barkley, 61 years old.

The National Basketball Association is negotiating a new media-rights deal with potential partners, including TNT parent Warner Bros. Discovery. TNT Sports said Saturday that it looks forward to another NBA season on TNT and “further discussion of our future plans with [Barkley].”

The league is on track to score deals with NBC, ESPN and Amazon that would bring in about $76 billion in media revenue over 11 years, people familiar with the discussions said earlier this month.

Barkley, an outspoken analyst who has addressed issues beyond basketball on “Inside the NBA,” said Friday that he is going to “pass the baton” to someone else once he reaches 25 years as a commentator.

“Inside the NBA” became a long-running, critically hailed pregame, halftime and postgame basketball analysis show thanks in part to the camaraderie of its co-hosts, including Barkley and other NBA greats, such as Shaquille O’Neal.

“I hope the NBA stays with TNT,” Barkley said. “You guys have been great to me. My heart is full with joy and gratitude.”

Write to Ginger Adams Otis at [email protected]