Charles Barkley Signs Two-Year Extension with ESPN and TNT, Preparing for Retirement

Charles Barkley, a beloved figure in the world of basketball commentary, has announced a new chapter in his career. After ESPN acquired the rights to "Inside the NBA" from Warner Bros. Discovery in November, Barkley and his colleagues at the show will be making the move to the network. During an appearance on the "Dan Patrick Show" on Monday, Barkley spoke about his decision to join ESPN and TNT, saying he has signed a new contract with TNT that will see him work for two more years before retiring. The 62-year-old veteran of the NBA has previously talked about his retirement plans, but this time he seems more committed than ever. Barkley's new contract with TNT was a long-awaited deal that took both sides two months to reach. While the contract has seven years left on it, Barkley made it clear that he is only willing to work for two more years before calling it quits. "I said I would work for two more years and that's what I agreed to...I actually have seven years left on my contract. Yeah, there's no way I'm working seven years," he said. "I'm going to be a good soldier for Kenny, Ernie, and Shaq and the people I work with...but the best I can do is two years." While "Inside the NBA" will continue to air on TNT, the show will now also be produced by ESPN. Barkley expressed concerns about his workload with both networks and told Patrick that he would "walk on home" if he feels overworked in the new arrangement. Despite the uncertainty surrounding the future of "Inside the NBA," Barkley believes that stability will help ensure the program remains as entertaining as ever for at least the next two seasons. However, he also acknowledged that there could be a massive void if he goes through with his retirement this time around. "Nobody knows what's going to happen," he said. "What are we going to do?" Barkley's commitment to "Inside the NBA" and his willingness to work for two more years before retiring will undoubtedly be a welcome addition to ESPN's lineup of basketball commentary shows. As one of the most recognizable and beloved figures in the sport, Barkley's presence on the network is sure to bring in a new audience and keep fans engaged in the game they love.