Many fans may be sure that the Boston Celtics will win the NBA Finals as talks about which player will likely win MVP despite only being two games in. However, they’re also paying attention to the future of Charles Barkley and the Inside the NBA crew.
Everyone and their mother knows the beloved show is only contracted with their home network until the next season. Since all four members have built their reputations as trusted names in sports broadcasting, their potential disbandment will greatly impact how fans consume basketball content.
With their long-term futures now up in the air, all four are looking for things to pursue should the show reach its conclusion. Barkley has been one of the more outspoken voices among Ernie Johnson, Shaquille O’Neal, and Kenny Smith regarding their contract situation, and he’s appeared in various places recently.
His most recent appearance saw him make a hilarious joke that would make hardcore fans of the show think about what’s next for the beloved quartet.
Charles Barkley gets quips about joining ESPN as ‘Inside the NBA’ is still to renew their contracts with TNT
Barkley made a guest appearance on ESPN’s Stanley Cup coverage to talk ice hockey. However, he wasn’t able to escape elevator pitches from one of his fellow analysts throughout the game.
Steve Levy wasted no time trying to convince Charles Barkley to join ESPN’s NBA coverage during his guest appearance on ABC’s coverage of the Stanley Cup.
“Steve Levy, Mark Messier, P.K. Subban, and the newest member of ESPN’s NBA coverage?”👀pic.twitter.com/WhLPgNFReT
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) June 11, 2024
Since Barkley didn’t shoot down Levy’s attempts to swing him over, it’s clear that he’s open to any possibility. However, Awful Announcing’s Reice Shipley clarified that things may not be as straightforward with Barkley and ESPN:
Barkley did not confirm or deny that he could be taking his talents to ESPN. But given his history of bashing the network’s coverage of the NBA, that may not be all that likely…
It will be strange to see Charles be with Ernie, Shaq, and Kenny if their contracts expire at the end of the 2024-25 NBA season. However, change is a natural part of life, and fans can only hope the best for him and the rest of the crew should they leave TNT next year.
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