Charles Barkley has lengthy been one of many co-hosts of Contained in the NBA however, during the last 12 months he had the chance to seek for employment elsewhere. After TNT struck a deal to license Inside out to ESPN, Barkley fielded affords from different firms. He ultimately opted to work with ESPN and keep duties at TNT as effectively. Curiously sufficient, the basketball corridor of famer was additionally provided a major amount of money from NBC, and he didn’t maintain again whereas explaining why turned down the job regardless of the large paycheck.
This isn’t the primary time “Sir Charles” has talked about that he spoke with different media companies whereas plotting out his skilled future. Barkley, who walked again his retirement plans in 2024, particularly named NBC as one of many entities he met with. But it wasn’t till the previous Phoenix Solar appeared on The Invoice Simmons Podcast that he revealed his purpose for denying the deal he was provided by the NBCUniversal-owned company. Apparently, it got here right down to what Barkley known as “bullshit” inside the deal:
So I met with Amazon, and I met with NBC. [I] received a suggestion from NBC for more cash…. Effectively, I in all probability would’ve went there [, but] that they had a bunch of bullshit. They had been speaking a few — not gonna lie — they provided me more cash. However, after they despatched the contract to me, it had Kentucky Derby, it had the US Open…. It had 5 appearances on At present, 5 appearances on [The Tonight Show Starring] Jimmy Fallon, the Olympics in ‘28 and ‘30.
Invoice Simmons went on to say in the course of the interview (which is on YouTube) that he “favored all these” particular occasions together with Charles Barkley of their protection. Nonetheless, the “Spherical Mound of Rebound” himself bluntly acknowledged that he wasn’t for any of it. Barkley then instructed Simmons that at this level in his profession, he has little interest in working extra as he will get older.
The previous NBA MVP did admit that he was down for working two days every week due to his respect for former NBCUniversal chairman Mark Lazarus, who employed him at Turner years in the past. Nonetheless, a particular “pink flag” paired with the contract specs are what discouraged Barkley from signing on the dotted line:
By the point I received the contract, they’re like, ‘Effectively as soon as soccer [is] over, you’re going to work three days every week.’ After which after they put Kentucky Derby, US Open and Olympics ‘28 and ‘30, I mentioned, ‘Hell no!’
Whereas NBC apparently provided each Charles Barkley and Ernie Johnson the possibility to maneuver and convey crew members with them, they opted in opposition to it and located an association with TNT. Additionally, for readability, this all occurred earlier than the ESPN deal was solidified. Barkley mentioned some wild issues about Contained in the NBA and its unsure future all through 2024. Nonetheless, a degree he persistently made clear is that he needed to make sure his colleagues would stay employed. That want to avoid wasting jobs was a giant purpose why he determined to scrap his retirement plans.
Inside could also be persevering with, however Charles Barkley has nonetheless expressed considerations concerning the present’s future, significantly the way it’ll be formatted now that it’s on ESPN. The early schedule that was launched boosted followers’ fears, because it included a shortened time slot and fewer broadcasts. Nonetheless, ESPN’s President of Content material, Burke Magnus, not too long ago instructed The Athletic, that the present can be “very comparable” to the best way it’s all the time been. Time will inform if it performs out to Barkley’s liking (and whether or not he’ll proceed to dish on the roles he turned down).