Charles Barkley turned down staggering NBA salary to remain at TNT

Some pretty numbers were apparently thrown his way, but the famed analyst has his team's back.

Alex Gonzalez | Aug 13, 2024

Jun 12, 2024; Dallas, Texas, USA; NBA TV analyst Charles Barkley talks on set before game three of the 2024 NBA Finals between the Boston Celtics and the Dallas Mavericks at American Airlines Center. / Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

The NBA’s big move to Peacock and NBC has a lot of basketball fans shaken up. But one key figure who is sticking to his guns is Charles Barkley, who apparently turned down $100 million to stay with TNT.

Since 2000, Barkley has worked as an NBA analyst for TNT, notably on the program “Inside The NBA.” And with the NBC and Peacock, many fans were wondering what this would mean for the show. In an interview on “The Dan Le Batard Show,” Barkley revealed that he had conversations with other networks, but ultimately chose to stay with TNT in its final year of broadcasting the NBA.

While some pretty numbers were thrown his way, Barkley said that keeping others paid was his priority.

“The No. 1 thing for me is my people at Turner get to keep their jobs for at least another year,” Barkley said. “That’s all I was concerned with.”

How much did Charles Barkley lose by returning to TNT?

"A minimum of $100 million. A minimum."

Barkley explains why he chose to return to Turner Sports as a broadcasting free agent.

"The number-one thing for me is that my people at Turner get to keep their jobs another year." pic.twitter.com/lGLZgg4nFZ
— Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz (@LeBatardShow) August 13, 2024

Per the new NBA broadcasting deal, NBC and Peacock are set to distribute up to 100 NBA regular-season games. The upcoming 2024-2025 NBA season will be the final season broadcast on TNT, and nationally televised games will air on ESPN and ABC, with the ability to be livestreamed on Peacock and Prime Video.

Barkley revealed that he turned down “a minimum of $100 million” for analyst roles on competing networks. He admitted that he’s grateful for the offers, but feels much more satisfied that his colleagues will remain employed for the time being.

“It was a great feeling, and I wanna thank all those networks for reaching out to me,” said Barkley. “It was really humbling and cool…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.”

— Enjoy free dish of rich and fabulous players with The Athlete Lifestyle on SI —

Nice try: Gabby Williams cheekily rejects Angel Reese’s Chicago Sky offer

All Dunne: Livvy Dunne shares shy-smile selfie in red bikini from Malibu (PHOTO)

Petty kings: Team USA basketball shows zero class with Noah Lyles trolling tweet

Modern love: Tara Davis-Woodhall, Hunter’s love story started by sliding in DMs

Dad’s defense: Ed Kelce’s 5-word response to Kanye West dropping son Travis’ name

Published Aug 13, 2024

ALEX GONZALEZ