The bidding war over Charles Barkley’s services on television is over, thanks to … Charles Barkley.
That’s because the Hall of Famer and all-time great on the air announced on Friday night that next year would be his last on the air.
“I ain’t going nowhere other than TNT, but I have made the decision the myself. No matter what happens, next year is going to be my last year on television,” he said on NBA TV.
He added he won’t do interviews about this, but he wanted to pass the baton to Vince Carter or Jamal Crawford — who are both terrific on the air — and he sounded grateful for everything.
Charles Barkley: "I ain't going nowhere other than TNT. But, I have made the decision the myself- no matter what happens, next year is going to be my last year on television… I'm not going to another network… Next year, I'm going to just retire after 25 years." pic.twitter.com/E966rKo7X4
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) June 15, 2024
It’s stunning, but it’s not the MOST surprising thing. With Inside the NBA potentially gone after next year and Barkley making noise years ago about how he was looking at age 60 to retire (he’s 61 years old now), it makes sense.
Fans were still crushed:
Hall of Fame player. Beyond worthy of Hall of Fame as a broadcaster. Have not known the NBA in my lifetime w/o Chuck. Don’t really want to https://t.co/bLMEUaPe5l
— Jawn Gonzalez (@JohnGonzalez) June 15, 2024
Charles Barkley, one of the Greatest TV Personalities we have ever seen, is retiring after next year,
“I have talked to all the other networks, but I ain’t going no where other than TNT. I have made the decision myself….next year is going to be my last year on television.”
— Robert Griffin III (@RGIII) June 15, 2024
Only one Chuck.
Wow. https://t.co/FYmsrF0NbZ— Jamal Crawford (@JCrossover) June 15, 2024
Class act. Love Chuck https://t.co/OJFWFQphCx
— Adnan Virk (@adnansvirk) June 15, 2024
