Charles Barkley: Has Second Thoughts..To Remain At TNT

Charles Barkley will not retire and instead remain with TNT Sports even after it loses the NBA following this upcoming season, TNT announced Tuesday.

Barkley will continue on his 10-year, $210 million contract. He is in the third season of the deal.

“I love my TNT Sports family,” Barkley, 61, 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,” his statement continued. “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.”

Charles Barkley is NOT retiring and is staying with TNT Sports long term, sources tell @AndrewMarchand. pic.twitter.com/8YpcMEfJyM

— The Athletic (@TheAthletic) August 6, 2024

Barkley had been a target for ESPN, Amazon Prime Video and NBC, which will begin their 11-year, $77 billion agreements after next season. TNT Sports is trying to stay in business with the NBA by suing the league after the NBA rejected TNT Sports’ offer to match one of the league’s new television deals with Amazon Prime Video.