Charles Barkley Plans to Leave “Inside the NBA” After Two More Years Despite New Contract

NBA Hall of Famer and beloved TV analyst Charles Barkley is making headlines again, this time for saying he’s only sticking around “Inside the NBA” for two more years, even after inking a new contract.

Barkley, 62, sat down with Dan Patrick on The Dan Patrick Show on Monday, June 2, to discuss his future with the iconic basketball show, which he co-hosts alongside Shaquille O’Neal, Kenny Smith, and Ernie Johnson. Although his newly signed deal with TNT technically stretches for seven years, Barkley was clear: “All I can do is two years.”

“There’s no way I’m working seven years. I’m going to be a good soldier for Kenny, Ernie, and Shaq, and the people I work with—especially those behind the scenes. But the best I can do is two years,” Barkley said.

TNT, which has aired NBA games since 1989, recently lost the broadcast rights after failed negotiations with the NBA. As a result, ESPN will take over coverage of the pre-game and post-game shows for the upcoming season, marking a major shift in NBA media.

Barkley told Patrick he had signed the new deal just last week, preparing for what could be a turbulent transition in sports television. Despite efforts from TNT to persuade him to stay longer, Barkley says his mind is made up.

“They’re like, ‘Can we get three?’ I said, ‘I just told you, I’m gonna give you two.’”

This announcement comes as the NBA’s latest media rights deals have made headlines for their staggering value. Last year, the league reached a monumental $76 billion agreement with Disney, Comcast’s NBCUniversal, and Amazon for rights to various NBA and WNBA games over the next 11 years.

The new deals kick in for the 2025-26 season and represent a turning point in sports broadcasting.

Barkley, a former MVP and 11-time NBA All-Star, has become just as famous for his candid commentary and humor on Inside the NBA as he was for his play on the court. His possible departure leaves a major question mark over the future of one of television’s most beloved sports shows.