Charles Barkley turns down $100 million offer from TNT
- Charles Barkley revealed he rejected a minimum of $100 million to stay at TNT.
- He has been an NBA analyst at TNT since 2000.
- Barkley's decision showcases his values and priorities over financial gain.
In a significant move following the NBA's new broadcasting rights agreement with ESPN, NBC, and Amazon Prime, Charles Barkley has reaffirmed his commitment to TNT, where he has served as an NBA analyst since 2000. Initially, Barkley hinted that the upcoming season would be his last due to concerns over TNT's future with NBA broadcasts. However, he later clarified that he would remain with the network as long as it continued to air NBA games, expressing a desire to collaborate with TNT leadership on new programming. Despite the ongoing legal disputes between TNT and the NBA regarding the new rights deal, Barkley has made it clear that he has no intention of joining another network. He recently disclosed that he turned down a lucrative offer worth nine figures from competing networks, describing the experience as "humbling and cool." Barkley emphasized his loyalty to TNT, stating, "as long as I got my people safe at TNT, I feel really good." The NBA's relationship with Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) has soured, leading to a lawsuit filed by WBD after the NBA rejected their bid. Meanwhile, Barkley continues to be a key figure on TNT's "Inside the NBA," alongside fellow analysts Shaquille O'Neal and Kenny "The Jet" Smith. Looking ahead, TNT has secured rights to College Football Playoff games and will become the U.S. broadcaster for the French Open in 2025, signaling a strategic shift to diversify its sports offerings.