HE'S BACK
TNT announces decision over Charles Barkley’s $210m future with uncertainty over Inside the NBA and live TV rights
Barkley signed a 10-year deal in 2022
CHARLES Barkley has flipped his retirement and is returning to TNT Sports.
After announcing he was retiring from TV after TNT lost NBA media, Barkley has changed is mind and is staying with the network.
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Warner Bros Discovery confirmed that Barkley is committing to the 10-year agreement he signed in 2022.
Luis Silberwasser, Chairman and CEO of TNT Sports released a statement following the news.
"Charles is one of the best and most beloved sportscasters in the history of television," he said.
"I know I speak for all the members of the TNT Sports family when I say we are incredibly thrilled to share this mutual commitment to continue showcasing Charles' one-of-a-kind talents and entertain fans well into the future.
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"We continue to add to the breadth and depth of our sports portfolio — including new properties in the College Football Playoffs, Roland-Garros, NASCAR, BIG EAST college basketball, Mountain West football, among others...
"It’s fantastic to have Charles for this journey as we develop new content ideas and shows for our fans."
Barkley also shared his excitement about continuing his tenure with the network.
"I love my TNT Sports family. My #1 priority has been and always will be our people and keeping everyone together for as long as possible," Barkley said.
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"We have the most amazing people, and they are the best at what they do.
"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.
Charles Barkley set to retire from TV after 2024-25 season after dropping major broadcasting bombshell during NBA Finals
"This is the only place for me. I have to say ... I’ve been impressed by the leadership team who is fighting hard and have been aggressive in adding new properties to TNT Sports, which I am very excited about.
"I appreciate them and all of my colleagues for their continued support, and most importantly our fans. I’m going to give my all as we keep them entertained for years to come."
Barkley previously revealed on CNBC's "Closing Bell" that he wouldn't feel comfortable moving networks after so many years with TNT.
"I wouldn't feel comfortable going to work for another network," Barkley said.
"It'll be 25 years that I've been working with Turner, and I love everybody at Turner.
"But at this age, to go over and start over, I don't know if I want to do that."
What the new TV deal means for the NBA?
By The U.S. Sun's Assistant Sports Editor Damian Burchardt.
THE new TV rights deal is promising to be a humongous win for NBA players.
The league is set to more than double the revenue coming from its media partners, pocketing about $6.9 billion per year, which will inevitably lead to a huge salary cap spike in 2025-26.
That is going to send the value of player contracts skyrocketing.
Projected figures suggest we might see the first $100 million-per-year deal being signed soon.
Currently, Boston Celtics All-Star Jayson Tatum is projected to earn the highest single-season salary in NBA history, collecting $71.5 million in 2029-30.
If TNT Sports successfully matches one of the offers to maintain its decades-long partnership with the league, hoops fans will be on the winning side too.
The network's flagship, Inside the NBA, is a one-of-a-kind sports entertainment show, as evidenced by ESPN's ongoing failure to come up with its own version of the program in recent years.
The NBA wouldn't be the same without Kenny and Ernie trying to make sense of Shaq and Chuck's never-ending bickering every Tuesday night.
He also shared his remorse for employees at TNT after losing NBA media rights.
"I really feel bad for everybody at TNT," Barkley said.
"All the people I've been working with for the last 24 years, they're really family for me and I really hope we match.
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"Honestly in my heart I think we have lost the package. That's my honest opinion.
"But I really hope we get a last-minute reprieve for the people at Turner."
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