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Charles Barkley's retirement leaves fans DEVASTATED as they fume over Inside the NBA legend bowing out from broadcasting: 'This is on you TNT'
NBA fans have been left crushed by the news that Charles Barkley will be calling time on his legendary broadcasting career at the end of next season.
Speaking after the NBA Finals Game 4 between the Boston Celtics and Dallas Mavericks on Friday night, Barkley revealed the 2024-25 campaign will be his last as an analyst after making the decision to hang up his mic after 25 years.
The former Philadelphia 76ers star's shock announcement comes alongside the controversial decision to axe 'Inside the NBA' - the show he has worked on since 2000 - at the end of next season with TNT expected to lose rights to show the sport.
After hearing Barkley's decision, fans took to social media to pay tribute to the iconic analyst and call on TNT to find a solution.
One simply wrote: 'Man what a legend'.
NBA fans have been left crushed by the news that Charles Barkley is set to retire as an analyst
Another commented: 'Nooooo. Say it ain't so, Chuck!'
'TNT better work out something… sad to see him go,' said a third.
A fourth put: 'Hey!@NBAonTNT figure it aht!!!!! What are you doing?! Greatest show on television.'
While one admitted: 'Man why am I choking up rn'.
Barkley became emotional when revealing the news on Friday night, stressing that he has no intention of working for another broadcaster after next season.
'I've been thinking guys... I want to say this, because you guys are my family,' he said.
'I really love TNT, all the people who work here, NBA television, you guys have been great to me for 24 years. I want to say thank you to my entire NBA family, I love you guys. There's been a lot of noise around our network the last few months.
'I just want to say, I've talked to all the other networks, but I ain't going nowhere other than TNT... but I have made the decision myself, no matter what happens, next year is going to be my last year on television.
'My heart is full of joy and gratitude, but I'm going to pass the baton at the end of next year. I hope the NBA stays with TNT but for me personally, I wanted you to hear it from me.'
Barkley's retirement announcement on Friday has left fans devastated on social media
'Chuck', as he has become known, is one of a long-time panel on Inside the NBA that includes host Ernie Johnson Jr. (since 1990) and Kenny Smith (since 1998).
Barkley joined in 2000 and first sat alongside Magic Johnson from 2003 to 2007, before Reggie Miller from 2008 to 2011, when Shaquille O'Neal then joined - and the group have remained a regular fixture on America's TV screens.
The show has won 19 Sports Emmys since its inception, and is widely regarded as one of the best sports analysis shows on TV.
Inside the NBA is soon to be no more, though, with the show slated to end after the 2024-25 season, when TNT loses rights to show the NBA.
Instead, the league is reportedly closing in on deals with ESPN, Amazon and NBC for a combined $7.4billion per year.
In light of Barkley's proposed retirement, fans have criticized the deal which will see TNT lose NBA rights, claiming the sport has lost one of its greatest analysts as a result.
'End of an Era… This is on you TNT,' said one user.
Another concluded: 'Everything gets ruined by money.'
While a third wrote: 'L by the NBA honestly. Inside the NBA is one of the best things, if not the best thing, about broadcasts of the NBA'.
Other users criticized the deal which is expected to see TNT lose rights to broadcast the sport
'Chuck', as he has become known, is one of a long-time panel on Inside the NBA
He has spent 24 years on TNT, 13 of which with his friend Shaquille O'Neal (left)
In recent weeks, Barkley had hinted that he would be open to working for another network, and admitted on Friday that he had spoken to rivals, before ultimately deciding to hang up his microphone.
Barkley also hosted an ill-fated talk show alongside his long-time friend Gayle King on CNN, titled 'King Charles'.
It began airing on November 29 last year, but only ran until April 10 - when the network announced it had 'come to the end of its limited run'.
After dropping his retirement bombshell on Friday, Barkley went on to insist he will do no further interviews on the matter, seemingly keen to stay out of the spotlight.
'I'm not doing any more interviews,' he said. 'Don't y'all be calling, nobody call me, I'm not talking about this again. But I wanted to tell my NBA TV 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]. Next year I'm just going to retire after 25 years and I just wanted to say thank you, and I wanted you to hear it from me first.'