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Earlier this summer, Charles Barkley announced that the upcoming season of Inside the NBA would be his last before retiring. With the hit show set to end after the NBA's new media rights deal, it appeared the Hall of Famer would retire. Now, however, it looks like Barkley will remain with TNT after Inside the NBA ends.
The show's future has been a major talking point among the NBA community. The award-winning group of Charles Barkley, Shaquille O'Neal, Kenny Smith and Ernie Johnson have become synonymous with league coverage.
When news emerged that the NBA was likely to sign with NBC, Disney (ESPN), and Amazon, the show's future was jeopardized. Ultimately, TNT exercised the right to match Amazon's bid. However, the league chose Amazon.
While this signaled the end of Inside the NBA, fans held out hope that the award-winning group would sign with another network to keep the show going. Now, Barkley has clarified that his future is with TNT, regardless of whatever coverage direction the new networks take.
In a press release from TNT, Charles Barkley was quoted as saying:
"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. ... 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."
NHL fans were quick to react to the news:
"Hopefully he throws Biz off the set." - One joked
"Chuck doing NHL on TNT is going to be absolutely incredible" - Another wrote
Others theorized that in addition to the NHL, Barkley could also contribute to the network's racing shows:
"Inside NASCAR ON TNT" - One wrote
"NASCAR" - Another suggested
Others questioned whether Barkley could provide the same quality of coverage with the NHL that he does for NBA games. From the sounds of things, some fans don't care what sport the NBA legend is talking about:
"Now he’s calling them his sports family? Which sports without basketball?" - One wrote
"Idc what it is! I'll watch Charles! Great to see him stick around" - One wrote
"There's nothing like a hockey game in person" - Charles Barkley discusses his love for hockey
While some fans were surprised by the notion that Barkley could provide coverage for a sport other than basketball, he's become quite the hockey fan.
During the Stanley Cup Playoffs, Barkley appeared on TNT's playoff coverage, where he gushed about his love for hockey. He also got to know several NHL players while competing in Philadelphia.
While speaking on The Fan Morning Show on Sportsnet 590, Barkley opened up about his love for the game:
"I started going to hockey games and I have to say that while watching on TV is pretty good, there's nothing like a hockey game in person. It's really awesome."
In addition, Barkley explained why he respects TNT's NHL group of Wayne Gretzky, Paul Bissonnette, and Anson Carter. He appreciates that the former NHL pros can articulate their analysis using analytics.
For those reasons, 'Sir Charles' feels there are parallels between TNT's NBA and NHL coverage. As he fulfills his 10-year extension with TNT, signed in 2022, it will be interesting to see what the network has in store for the outspoken Hall of Famer.
