Charles Barkley reveals why he turned down 'AT LEAST $100M' to stay with TNT - despite network losing NBA rights

By Daniel Matthews

Published: | Updated:

Charles Barkley claims he gave up at least $100million to remain with TNT - in order to protect the jobs of his co-workers.

The 61-year-old is part of the hugely popular Inside the NBA crew, which also includes presenter Ernie Johnson Jr and analysts Kenny Smith and Shaquille O'Neal.

The former 76ers, Suns and Rockets star initially announced that he would be retiring at the end of the 2024-25 NBA season - when TNT will stop carrying NBA games.


But Barkley then revealed earlier this month that he will stay with the network through the remainder of his 10-year, $210million contract.

That is despite offers from elsewhere, with reports claiming that ESPN, NBC and Amazon were all keen to sign up the NBA Hall of Famer.

Charles Barkley claims he gave up at least $100million to remain as an analyst with TNT

Charles Barkley claims he gave up at least $100million to remain as an analyst with TNT 

Barkley confirmed that he was targeted by TNT's rivals and revealed the staggering amount he sacrificed to stay with his current employer. 

'A minimum of $100million,' he told Dan Le Batard.

'It was a great feeling and I want to thank all those networks for reaching out to me. 

'It was really humbling and cool to be honest with you. 

'But even though they were throwing crazy numbers, I was like: "As long as I got my people safe at TNT, I feel really good." 

'It was a great feeling and I want to thank all those networks for reaching out to me,' he said

'It was a great feeling and I want to thank all those networks for reaching out to me,' he said

He added: 'They are going to pay me to go and talk about nothing so I don't want to look a gift horse in a mouth. 

'I probably would have had to do an honest day's work if I went to one of those other networks.'

Barkley recently claimed that he is heading into only his third year of the $210m contract with TNT, meaning there is still around $150m left to run.

He added: 'The No 1 thing for me is my people at Turner get to keep their jobs for another year - that's all I was concerned with.'

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