June 12, 2024; Dallas, Texas, USA; NBA TV analyst Charles Barkley speaks on set earlier than Recreation 3 of the 2024 NBA Finals between the Boston Celtics and the Dallas Mavericks on the American Airways Middle . Necessary Credit score: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports activities Basketball Corridor of Famer Charles Barkley mentioned Tuesday that he now not plans to retire as a tv analyst after the upcoming season and as a substitute plans to stick with TNT Sports activities for the rest of his contract.
Barkley, who works on TNT’s “Contained in the NBA” studio present, introduced in mid-June that he deliberate to work yet one more season after which retire, no matter whether or not TNT’s partnership with the NBA continues past the 2024-25 season. Set to run out.
On the finish of July, the NBA parted methods with TNT and introduced an 11-year media rights settlement with Disney, NBC and Amazon Prime Video price practically $76 billion. The brand new contract is legitimate from the 2025-26 season to the 2035-36 season. Barkley signed a 10-year contract with TNT Sports activities till 2032.
“I really like my TNT Sports activities household. My primary precedence has at all times been our workers and maintaining everybody collectively so long as attainable,” Barkley mentioned within the launch. “We now have the very best expertise. , they’re the very best of their discipline of labor.”
“That is the one place I am in. I’ve to say…I am very impressed with the management staff and the way laborious they’re working laborious so as to add new property to TNT Sports activities and I am very enthusiastic about it. I recognize it and thank them.” With the continued assist of all my colleagues and most significantly our followers, I’ll do my finest to maintain them entertained for years to come back.
TNT Sports activities Chairman and CEO Luis Silberwasser expressed pleasure that Barkley might be a part of the corporate’s plans transferring ahead because it goals to develop its sports activities portfolio.
“Charles was one of many most interesting and hottest sportscasters within the historical past of tv,” Silberwasser mentioned in a press release. “I do know I converse for all members of the TNT Sports activities household once I say we’re extraordinarily excited to share this mutual dedication to proceed showcasing Charles’ distinctive abilities and entertaining followers properly into the longer term.”
Lower than two weeks in the past, TNT dad or mum firm Warner Bros. Discovery filed a lawsuit in opposition to the NBA in New York Supreme Courtroom in response to Amazon shedding media rights.
Warner Bros. Discovery Channel claims the league violated its contract by rejecting a brand new media rights take care of Amazon, in keeping with paperwork obtained by ESPN.
The destiny of different members of the hit present “Contained in the NBA” stays unclear. Host Ernie Johnson mentioned he plans to stick with TNT, however the standing of fellow analysts Shaquille O’Neal and Kenny Smith stays unclear, ESPN reported.
–Scene-level media
