Charles Barkley doesn’t plan on sticking around TV much longer.
Inside the NBA on TNT has officially come to an end, and the show will be moving to ESPN next season, but don’t get too used to seeing Barkley on it.
X/@DPSHOW)Barkley told Patrick he is only doing two more years[/caption]
The Hall of Famer appeared on The Dan Patrick Show Monday morning and revealed just how much longer he is going to be working.
“Are you unemployed right now?” Patrick playfully asked Barkley.
“No, I signed a deal last week, Dan,” Barkley answered.
However, Barkley doesn’t envision doing the show alongside Ernie Johnson, Kenny Smith, and Shaquille O’Neal that much longer.
Even though he signed a seven-year deal.
“Like I said, I didn’t officially sign it until last week,” Barkley continued.
“I said I’d work for two more years, and that’s what I agreed to. And I’m going to have to trust them.
“But listen, you know, if they start trying to work me too much between ESPN and TNT, I’m just going to walk on home.
“I actually have seven years left on my contract. I’m like, yeah, there’s no way I’m working seven years.
“I’m gonna be a good soldier for Kenny, Ernie, and Shaq, and the people I work with because I love the people I work with, especially behind the scenes.
“But the best I can do is two years.”
With the Indiana Pacers defeating the New York Knicks in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Finals on Saturday evening to advance to the NBA Finals, it officially brought an end to TNT’s broadcast of Inside the NBA.
Barkley told Patrick what that last show was like and how emotional he unexpectedly had become.
“I was fine until Ernie started getting emotional,” Barkley said.
“Then I started tearing up, and I’m glad that they only had the camera on him, because Kenny and Shaq, they were just talking.
“And I was like, OK, but Ernie was emotional.
“The crowd was great, but like I say, man, I’ve been with these people for 25 years. It’s a great thing.
“The NBA family has been tremendous to us. The fans have been tremendous to us. But you know, I will admit, I’m looking forward to ESPN, the most famous sports brand ever.
“It’s going to be awesome working for them.”
Barkley reiterated again that he only plans on working two more years.
Let us all enjoy Sir Charles while we still can.
