Kenny Smith was caught off guard, just like everyone else, when his longtime co-host Charles Barkley unexpectedly announced his retirement from broadcasting.
Smith and Barkley have been staples on TNT’s “Inside the NBA” for over two decades, forming a dynamic duo that brought both insight and entertainment to basketball fans worldwide. However, despite their long-standing professional relationship and camaraderie on air, Barkley chose not to inform Smith of his impending retirement in advance.
The news came to light at the NBL Next Stars event in New York City, where Kenny Smith expressed his surprise to Stefan Bondy of the New York Post. “He never called me. He never told me,” Smith revealed. “He still hasn’t called me and told me, ‘Kenny, I’m retiring.’” This statement highlighted the unexpected nature of Barkley’s decision, underscoring the lack of prior communication between the two close colleagues regarding such a significant career move.
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Barkley’s announcement, which he made during the NBA Finals, followed closely on the heels of reports that TNT had lost its bid to continue broadcasting NBA games in the league’s most recent media rights negotiations. This backdrop adds a layer of complexity to Barkley’s decision.
During his announcement, Barkley expressed a deep connection to TNT, indicating that his departure from broadcasting was linked not only to the network’s situation but also to a personal choice to step back after a notable tenure. “I ain’t going nowhere other than TNT,” Barkley stated emphatically. “But I have made the decision that no matter what happens, next year is going to be my last year on television. And I just want to say thank you to my NBA family. You guys have been great to me. My heart is full with joy and gratitude.”
Barkley also took the opportunity to name potential successors who could carry the torch forward, suggesting Jamal Crawford, Vince Carter, or Steve Smith as worthy candidates to fill his shoes. “I hope the NBA stays with TNT, but for me personally, I wanted you guys to hear it from me… I wanted to tell my NBATV and TNT family that I’m not going to another network, but I’m going to pass the baton to either Jamal Crawford or Vince Carter or you Steve (Smith). But next year, I’m going to just retire after 25 years, and I just wanted to say thank you. And I wanted y’all to hear it from me first.”
Despite the heartfelt nature of Barkley’s announcement, not everyone is convinced that he will indeed retire.
Michael McCarthy of Front Office Sports speculated that Barkley’s declaration might be a strategic move designed to pressure TNT into negotiating a deal to keep NBA broadcasts, suggesting that his retirement could potentially be a lever in broader network negotiations.
Whether or not Barkley’s announcement holds true, it has undoubtedly sparked widespread discussion and speculation about the future of “Inside the NBA” and Barkley’s role in the broader sports broadcasting landscape.
