Barkley: I'll probably retire in 2024 after contract expires

Charles Barkley, shown with his college head coach Sonny Smith last month, hints at the end of his broadcasting career. John Reed-USA TODAY Sports

Charles Barkley says he'll probably retire after TNT contract expires in 2024

By Adam Stites | Last updated 2/15/22

Charles Barkley has been a TNT regular for more than two decades, but the Hall of Famer says his career as an analyst is close to over.

Barkley, who turns 59 next week, told reporters on a conference call that he'll "probably" retire when his contract ends at the conclusion of the 2023-24 NBA season, according to Brad Townsend of Dallas Morning News.

"And I don't want to die on TV. I want to die on the golf course or somewhere fishing. I don't want to be sitting inside over [by] fat-ass Shaq [waiting] to drop dead."
— Brad Townsend (@townbrad) February 15, 2022

Turner Sports has previously announced that Barkley's contract actually runs through the 2024-25 season, and he has previously said that he'd already be retired by now. Back in 2014, Barkley said he'd retire from television at the conclusion of his contract that had two years left.

Barkley played 16 seasons in the NBA with the Philadelphia 76ers, Phoenix Suns, and Houston Rockets before retiring in 2000. He joined TNT's Inside the NBA team shortly thereafter and has been with the show ever since.

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