Charles Barkley reveals why he declined $100 million offer to stay with TNT

Charles Barkley choose loyalty over money, turning down over $100 million to stay with TNT

Charles Barkley, a legendary figure in sports broadcasting, has revealed the reason behind his decision to stay with TNT, even after the network lost its NBA broadcast rights to Amazon, NBC, and Disney. Barkley, who has been a studio analyst with TNT since 2000, signed a 10-year, $210 million contract extension in 2022. The deal included an option for Barkley to exit if TNT lost its NBA rights—a situation that ultimately occurred. Despite receiving significant offers from other networks, Barkley chose to remain with TNT, reportedly turning down more than $100 million.

In a recent interview on the Dan Le Batard Show podcast., Barkley explained his decision, citing his commitment to his colleagues and the legacy they've built together. "The number one thing for me is my people at TNT to keep their jobs for at least another year," Barkley said, emphasizing his loyalty to the network.

His decision comes after initially announcing that the 2024 NBA Finals would mark his final year on television. However, Barkley has since reversed that decision, choosing to stay on for at least another season, even as "Inside the NBA," TNT's flagship show, enters its final season.