Charles Barkley does great work for TNT and has helped make “Inside the NBA” must-see TV each week, but the Round Mound of Rebound is not sure how much longer he can continue in his current role.
Sir Charles told Sports Illustrated’s Richard Deitsch that he is unsure about his broadcasting future.
“I love my job,” Barkley told Deitsch. “I love the people I work with. And I’m going to try to do things to keep me engaged. But I have four years left on my current deal and to be honest with you, it’s going to be a struggle for me to make it for the whole four years. I really don’t know how much longer I’m going to do this. I need something more, or something else to do to be honest with you.
“I only thought I would do this for three or four years but now I have been doing it for 13 years,” Barkley said. “When I got to my fifth year of broadcasting I was like ‘OK, I’ll do this a couple of more years.’ But now I’m like, ‘Dude, you have been doing this for 13 years and if I make it to the end of the contract it will be 17 years.’ Seventeen years is a long time. It’s a lifetime in broadcasting. I personally have to figure out the next challenge for me.”
Barkley told Deitsch he asked TNT to let him provide analysis for actual games last season and that he enjoyed that. He is scheduled to do two more games this season, and he told Deitsch he’d love to combine with Dick Vitale to analyze a basketball game one day.
Though Barkley says he’s unsure how long he can keep doing this, he’s also talked in the past about running for political office in Alabama, and that hasn’t materialized. Fans who love the show can only hope the same will be true regarding his TV work.
Barkley has his offensive moments for TNT, but he really makes “Inside the NBA” as enjoyable as it is. It would be a big disappointment if he left.
Deitsch’s column is full of other good information, so we recommend you read the entire thing.
Photo Credit: Cary Edmondson-US PRESSWIRE
