Charles Barkley Says He Gave Up At Least 100 Million By Returning To Tnt Instead Of Joining Another Network

Barkley ultimately decided to return to TNT for the 2024-25 season. In doing so he says he gave up “a minimum of $100 million.”

Current Contract & Salary

Giving Up $100 Million

Barkley recently joined The Dan LeBatard Show with Stugotz. The conversation turned to Barkley’s career and potentially moving to a different network. Barkley said it was “humbling and cool” to be highly desired, with “crazy numbers” thrown his way, but he had another priority.  “The number one thing for me is that my people at Turner get to keep their jobs another year. That’s all I was concerned with.”  He also expressed gratitude toward TNT for letting him be himself. “They’re going to pay me to go talk about nothing, so I can’t look a gift horse in the mouth. I probably would have had to do an honest day’s work if I went to one of those other networks.” Earlier this year, Barkley said this upcoming season would be his last. He’s 61 and has been on TV for a quarter century—no wonder he’s tired. But he seemed to walk those comments back a short while later, reaffirming his commitment to TNT and the ten-year deal he signed. He’s only in year two, so if TNT does continue airing the show, expect to see Barkley on your screen for a while longer.  Here’s the full clip of Barkley with LeBatard:

“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