TNT Sports analyst Charles Barkley said he lost at least $100 million to stay with the network after the NBA’s broadcast rights deal fiasco.
The NBA icon changed his mind and decided to remain with the Warner Bros.-owned company. Discovery after claiming he would retire from TV.
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Barkley61, is also committed to TNT for years to come, despite the network being poised to lose NBA games after the 2024-25 season, WBD confirmed in early August.
The Inside the NBA star explained his decision in a recent interview on The Dan Le Batard Show.
And it was all about saving the jobs of his TNT colleagues for at least another year, he said.
“That’s all I care about,” Chuck said.
Barkley revealed that several networks have tried to poach him in recent weeks.
But he refused, leaving a lot of money on the table.
“A minimum of $100 million,” said the 1993 NBA MVP. “A minimum.”
Barkley admitted it was nice to attract so much interest as a TV free agent.
“It was a great feeling,” he said.
“And I want to thank all of these networks for reaching out to me. It was very humbling and cool.
“But like I said, even though they were putting out crazy numbers, I was like, damn…
“But as long as I have my people safe on TNT, man, I feel great.
“Like I said, they’re going to pay me to go talk about nothing. So I can’t look a gift horse in the mouth.”
Barkley then joked, “I’d probably have to do an honest day’s work if I went to one of these other networks.”
As I say, [TNT is] will pay me to go and talk about nothing. So I can’t look a gift horse in the mouth
Carlos Barkley
NBA fans loved Chuck’s sacrifice.
“Man of the people,” wrote one of them.
“This is why Chuck is the GOAT,” added another.
“What a legend,” said a third.
TNT suggested it might involve Barkley in coverage of other sports if the network ended up missing NBA games.
“Charles is one of the best and most beloved sportscasters in television history,” said Luis Silberwasser, president and CEO of TNT Sports, in a statement.
“I know I speak for every member of the TNT Sports family when I say we are incredibly excited to share this mutual commitment to continue to showcase Charles’ unique talents and entertain fans in the future.
“We continue to increase the breadth and depth of our sports portfolio – including new properties in the College Football Playoffs, Roland-Garros, NASCAR, BIG EAST college basketball, Mountain West football, among others…
“It’s fantastic to have Charles on this journey as we develop new content and program ideas for our fans.”
WBD is suing the NBA after the league rejected the media giant’s bid to match Amazon’s $1.8 billion deal for one of the game packages.
Reports claim that TNT’s Inside the NBA could survive even if the legal challenge is unsuccessful, rebranding it to Inside Sports with the program covering a variety of competitions.
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