NBA analyst Charles Barkley has opted to remain with TNT despite a lucrative offer from a rival network. The Hall of Famer revealed that he turned down a minimum of $100 million to stay at his long-time home.
After the NBA signed a massive new rights deal with ESPN, NBC, and Amazon Prime, it was speculated that Charles Barkley could be on his way to a different network. However, the beloved analyst has decided to stay put at TNT, where he has been a fixture since 2000.
Barkley's commitment to TNT is a testament to his loyalty and belief in the network. Despite the hefty financial offer he received from another network, Barkley chose to remain with TNT, a move he described as "really humbling and cool."
Charles Barkley Stays Home at TNT, Turning Down $100 Million Offer to Leave
"It was a great feeling, and I wanna thank all those networks for reaching out to me," Barkley said. "But even though they were throwing crazy numbers — I was like, ‘Damn!’ — but as long as I got my people safe at TNT, I feel really good."
TNT's parent company, Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD), had unsuccessfully bid to match Amazon's offer for a portion of the league's media rights deal. In response, WBD filed a lawsuit against the NBA, which remains ongoing.
Charles Barkley Stays Home at TNT, Turning Down $100 Million Offer to Leave
Barkley's decision to stay at TNT comes as the network is adjusting to the loss of its NBA broadcasting rights. In an effort to fill the void, TNT has secured the rights to some College Football Playoff games and will become the U.S. broadcasting home for the French Open tennis tournament beginning in 2025.
Barkley's long-term commitment to TNT will see him "exclusively contribute to TNT Sports for many years to come," according to a news release from the network. The Hall of Famer will continue to provide his signature analysis alongside fellow NBA legends Shaquille O'Neal and Kenny Smith, hosted by Ernie Johnson.
Charles Barkley Stays Home at TNT, Turning Down $100 Million Offer to Leave
Barkley's decision to turn down a lucrative offer to remain at TNT is a testament to his close relationship with the network and his colleagues. It also reflects his belief in the network's ability to pivot and adapt to the changing media landscape.
While TNT may not have the NBA rights anymore, it has secured a solid slate of sports properties, including the aforementioned College Football Playoff games, French Open, and more. The network's commitment to Barkley and its other talented analysts suggests that it is well-positioned to remain a major player in sports broadcasting for years to come.
In addition to his regular contributions on TNT's "Inside the NBA," Barkley will also be involved in the development of new shows and additional sports content for the network. This move signals TNT's intent to leverage Barkley's star power and expertise beyond the NBA.
Barkley's decision to stay at TNT is a major victory for the network and a testament to the strong bonds he has forged with his colleagues and the network's leadership. As TNT embarks on a new era without the NBA, it can count on Barkley to continue to deliver his insightful and entertaining analysis for years to come.
