The NBA on TNT saga is far from over. While they take the legal route, Turner is negotiating with its on-air personalities and recalibrating what’s next after 2025. Charles Barkley put off retirement for the time being and committed to stay at TNT. But not so fast. The NBA’s new media partners officially expressed their interest in having Charles Barkley along with the rest of the Inside Guys. TNT can’t get comfortable yet because Chuck is open to options.

While raising funds for the Auburn basketball program at his annual Bruce, Barkley & Basketball Golf Classic, Sir Charles talked about the state at TNT. He hinted at something major while he was at it.

“Yeah, you know, it’s going to be interesting after we lose the NBA after next year. Gonna have to figure out my life and what I’m looking for. I’m mainly concerned for the people I work with. Obviously, if I want to continue, I’m going to have opportunities — which, I haven’t made a decision on that yet.”

Keyword: ‘Yet.’ Charles Barkley is considering all options besides retirement. After the 2024-25 season ends, it’s decision time for Inside the NBA. Shaquille O’Neal is mum on his decisions while it’s all but given that Ernie Johnson would retire rather than leave TNT. Kenny Smith is quiet about his decision too, but did say they could accomplish something “Monumental” when they decide their next steps.

Chuck was all set to retire after 25 years on TV. When he canceled it after TNT lost the NBA, he revealed he had entertained other networks before sticking with TNT. His current TNT contract is worth $210 million and Barkley confirmed he left an additional $100 million on the table. His goal was to save the jobs at TNT and it still is.

Charles Barkley has one condition to continue

ESPN, NBC, and Amazon went from hinting to outrightly declaring their interest in buying Charles Barkley & Co’s TNT contracts. Insiders claim that Amazon offered to keep the studio crew operating from Atlanta if the Inside Guys signed with them. Being able to save his colleagues he’s been with for two decades could be an enticing offer for Barkley.

He said at the fundraiser, “But I just feel bad for all the people I work with. We’ve had the NBA for 38 years, I think? Next year will be 25 (years for me), before we lose it. I have no idea what’s going to happen after next year. I mean, it’s crazy.”

In a previous interview, Barkley revealed that the TNT offices are run by a “skeleton crew.” So if his decision to stay isn’t preserving jobs, he might reconsider.

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He maintains it’s about the employees who made the show and not him. And if other media partners can accommodate both Chuck and his colleagues, he could look outside TNT.