The NBA Finals could have ended on Friday, but the Dallas Mavericks avoided a sweep at the hands of the Boston Celtics and extended the series to Game 5.
Naturally, had the Celtics managed to win the title, the newly crowned champions would've been the story of the night.
Instead, the night's biggest news came after the game at around midnight Eastern Time when Charles Barkley suddenly announced that next season would be his last as a television broadcaster.
Related: Charles Barkley has 'two important questions' to ask ESPN, Amazon and NBC
"No matter what happens, next year is going to be my last year on television," Barkley said on the postgame show on NBA TV.
BREAKING: After 25 years, Charles Barkley says he’s going to retire from TV after next season.
— Front Office Sports (@FOS) June 15, 2024
“No matter what happens, next year is going to be my last year on television.”pic.twitter.com/HzP4MfKH7G
The future of the legendary player turned broadcaster has been questioned due to the uncertainty of the NBA's next media rights deal. Multiple reports have stated that the NBA is expected to sign an agreement with three partners — ESPN, NBC, and Amazon — and that Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) , which airs TNT, may be left without an NBA package starting the 2025-26 season.
In 2022, Barkley signed a 10-year deal worth around $100 million with TNT, but said that he negotiated an opt-out clause from his contract should WBD not keep the rights to the NBA after 2025.
While there are still several hurdles to jump before it's certain that WBD will not carry the NBA past next year, Barkley has spoken publicly — and candidly — about his dissatisfaction with the top execs at WBD and joked about his job search.
Barkley's announcement doesn't come completely out of no where as he has teased retirement in the past, including admitting last year that there is "no chance" he would finish the entire 10-year deal he signed with TNT.
And yet it seems like many aren't quick to believe Barkley's announcement.
Why don't people fully believe Barkley's retirement announcement?
Barkley is one of the greatest NBA players in history, then he turned into an even greater broadcaster. But his retirement announcement hasn't created headlines in the way that his legacy deserves, in part because he'll have a full year left to be celebrated, but in part because many are skeptical about the announcement.
Barkley did not seem to have these thoughts about retirement just two weeks ago when he hopped on "The SI Media Podcast with Jimmy Traina." The sports media writer was quick to point out Barkley's statements on his show on Saturday morning where the NBA legend said that The decision on his future is best made after there is an official announcement about the NBA's media rights.
"The weird thing about it is we don’t know what would happen to the show if we lose it, but it really doesn’t do us any good to try to make any plans until we lose the package or hear something," Barkley said.
The Charles Barkley retirement (I’ll believe it when I see it) is quite a 180 from what he told me two weeks ago on the SI MEDIA PODCAST. https://t.co/x03goSymwf pic.twitter.com/W73Sfq5UNq
— Jimmy Traina (@JimmyTraina) June 15, 2024
Of course, Barkley could know something that the reports don't know — but he's also admitted that he's not spoken with WBD execs about the NBA rights situation.
Related: Charles Barkley gives another hint about his next move
Andrew Marchand, The Athletic's Senior Sports Media Columnist, also wrote on Saturday about his skepticism about the Barkley retirement announcement.
In his column, Marchand posited that Barkley may receive an offer from NBC or Amazon to bolster their credibility when they start airing the NBA. Or ESPN could just give Barkley a massive offer that he could not refuse: A big money contract that would also allow him to work a more flexible schedule, which is one of the biggest requirements that the 61-year-old said he wanted in his next deal before he decided to call it quits.
ESPN has given deals worth well over Barkley's $10 million annually with TNT to the likes of Pat McAfee ($17 million annually) and Troy Aikman ($18 million annually). The Worldwide Leader in Sports could throw a ton at Barkley to make him change his mind about ending his broadcasting career.
A nine-figure contract could be hard to resist for Barkley who even entertained signing with LIV Golf after the Saudi-backed golf tour offered him a hefty deal.
Of course, Barkley could be telling the hard truth and ultimately retire. He could have more time for his hobbies like playing golf and gambling away millions. Or he could realize how much easier it will be to fund those hobbies after a final giant broadcasting contract.
Related: Veteran fund manager picks favorite stocks for 2024
