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Charles Barkley reveals he turned down staggering $100 million to stay with NBA on TNT for heartwarming reason
Reports claim Barkley's Inside the NBA could survive even if TNT Sports loses NBA games
TNT Sports analyst Charles Barkley has said he lost at least $100 million to stay with the network after the NBA broadcasting rights deal fiasco.
The NBA icon had a change of heart and decided to remain with the Warner Bros. Discovery-owned company after claiming he would retire from TV.
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Barkley, 61, also committed to TNT for years to come despite the network set to lose NBA games after the 2024-25 season, WBD confirmed earlier in August.
The Inside the NBA star explained his decision in a recent interview on The Dan Le Batard Show.
And it came down to saving his TNT colleagues' jobs for at least another year, he said.
"That's all I was concerned with," Chuck said.
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Barkley revealed that several networks attempted to poach him in recent weeks.
But he turned them down, leaving big bucks on the table.
"A minimum of $100 million," the 1993 NBA MVP said. "A minimum."
Barkley admitted that it did feel good to attract so much interest as a TV free agent.
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"It was a great feeling," he said.
"And I want to thank all those networks for reaching out to me. It was really humbling and cool.
Charles Barkley reveals TNT contract clause and claims he achieved 'No 1 priority' during negotiations
"But like I said, even though they were throwing crazy numbers, I was like, damn...
"But as long as I got my people safe at TNT, man, I feel really good.
"Like I say, they're gonna pay me to go and talk about nothing. So I can't look a gift horse in the mouth."
Barkley then joked, "I probably would have had to do an honest day's work if I went to one of those other networks."
Like I say, [TNT is] gonna pay me to go and talk about nothing. So I can't look a gift horse in the mouth
Charles Barkley
NBA fans loved Chuck's sacrifice.
"Man of the people fr," one wrote.
"This is why Chuck is the GOAT," another added.
"What a legend," a third said.
TNT suggested it could get Barkley involved in coverage of other sports if the network ends up losing NBA games.
"Charles is one of the best and most beloved sportscasters in the history of television," Luis Silberwasser, Chairman and CEO of TNT Sports said in a statement.
"I know I speak for all the members of the TNT Sports family when I say we are incredibly thrilled to share this mutual commitment to continue showcasing Charles' one-of-a-kind talents and entertain fans well into the future.
"We continue to add to 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 for this journey as we develop new content ideas and shows for our fans."
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WBD is suing the NBA after the league rejected the media giant's proposal 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 show covering a variety of competitions.