TNT Sports issued a statement addressing Charles Barkley’s jaw-dropping announcement that he would retire as an NBA analyst following the 2024-25 season.

The brief statement was direct and to the point, but it also appeared to not simply accept the popular personality’s decision.

“Charles is a Hall of Famer and broadcasting icon who is and always will be a beloved member of the TNT Sports family,” the statement read. “We’re looking forward to another fantastic NBA on TNT season and further discussion of our future plans with him.”

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Future plans with him?

Does that mean even if the NBA moves on from TNT and “Inside the NBA” the network would like to retain Barkley in a different role?

    What do you think?  Leave a comment.

Barkley said he wouldn’t go to any other network, so would he be swayed to stay if the NBA and Warner Bros. Discovery reached a new deal?

The 61-year-old played 16 seasons in the NBA for the Philadelphia 76ers, Phoenix Suns and Houston Rockets before becoming a broadcast legend for the past 25 years.

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Featured image via Mark J. Rebilas/USA TODAY Sports Images