Former NBA player Charles Barkley, along with the legendary Shaquille O’Neal and the rest of the crew, has entertained basketball enthusiasts for years on TNT’s “Inside the NBA.” However, beginning with the 2025–26 season, the program will transition to ESPN and ABC due to a sub-licensing agreement forged between their parent companies, the Walt Disney Company and Warner Bros. Discovery.
With the NBA media rights transitioning away from TNT, a noticeable tension has developed between fans and the TNT crew. Recently, Charles Barkley made an appearance on Ernie Johnson’s Steam Room podcast, where he thoughtfully discussed his prospects in the world of television.
“I want to talk about my future because there’s been a lot of stuff going about my future and I want to make everything perfectly clear. I’m informing NBC that I will not accept their offer. I’m going to cancel future meetings with Amazon … My heart is always and will be at Turner Sports.” Barkley said.
"I'm informing NBC that I will not accept their offer. I'm gonna cancel my future meetings with Amazon. … My heart is always and will be at Turner Sports. … I wouldn't feel comfortable leaving here."
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) February 4, 2025
Charles Barkley on The Steam Room.pic.twitter.com/b7MZnPfqWo
Since 2000, Barkley has served as a studio analyst for TNT, establishing himself as a key member of the sports broadcasting team. His long tenure with TNT showcases his enduring loyalty to the network.
Barkley Expresses Desire for Reduced Workload as He Ages
Barkley’s extensive experience in this role has highlighted his basketball expertise and engaging personality, making him a fan favorite. Alongside Shaquille O’Neal and other crew members, he has shared his insights on various topics related to the league for years. Recently, both legends provided intriguing perspectives on the conflict involving Jimmy Butler and the Miami Heat. However, during a discussion with Johnson, Barkley mentioned that he prefers to work less as he gets older.
“I’m hoping that this thing comes together and I can stay with TNT and ESPN but as I’ve said, it’s all going to be dictated on my workload. And I’m not going to work more as I get older. I’m going to sit down with ESPN and TNT more because I just need to know if I’m going to continue working, how much I’m going to work.” Barkley said.
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Since the early 2000s, “Inside the NBA” has been hailed as one of American television’s premier sports analysis programs, amassing an impressive nineteen Sports Emmy Awards over the years. Moreover, the crew’s contributions are crucial in shaping the show’s identity.
Also Read: Charles Barkley Playfully Roasts Steve Kerr For Benching Jayson Tatum During 2024 Paris Olympics
