Charles Barkley has extended his long-term commitment to TNT Sports, according to a statement from the network. Barkley, who signed a 10-year deal with TNT in 2022, will be entering his 25th year with the company. He has hosted "Inside the NBA" since joining TNT in 2000.
While the exact length of the new deal was not disclosed, TNT stated that Barkley will be appearing for "many years to come." The announcement comes at a crucial time for TNT, as the network faces the potential loss of its NBA rights starting with the 2025-2026 season. This follows the NBA’s decision to match Amazon’s bid for the rights, despite Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) matching the offer. WBD has filed a lawsuit against the NBA, alleging a breach of contract.
Barkley’s future programming assignments remain unclear. However, TNT does retain the rights to Final Four college basketball games on alternating years through 2032, suggesting that Barkley could contribute to coverage of those events. Additionally, TruTV is set to broadcast the Savannah Bananas' "Banana Ball World Tour," though Barkley's involvement in that coverage is unconfirmed.
If TNT ultimately loses the NBA rights, alternative roles for Barkley could emerge. For example, the network could continue producing "Inside the NBA" or a similar show without the game rights, subject to standard restrictions. Barkley's expertise could also be extended to other sports or incorporated into a broader sports broadcast with additional talent.
Barkley expressed his enthusiasm for the extension, emphasizing the importance of his TNT family. "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. We have the most amazing people, and they are the best at what they do," said Barkley. "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." He also praised the leadership team for their efforts in securing new properties for TNT Sports.
Luis Silberwasser, chairman and CEO of TNT Sports, echoed Barkley's sentiments. "Charles is one of the best and most beloved sportscasters in the history of television," Silberwasser 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. 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 – and it’s fantastic to have Charles for this journey as we develop new content ideas and shows for our fans.”