The Inside the NBA crew isn’t giving up on the network. Charles Barkley, who had almost given up by going as far as announcing his retirement, has decided to stay. The 76ers legend even took a $100 million hit to do so. Ernie Johnson, who has spent most of his career with Turner, will also remain with the company. Loyalty is appreciated and Fox Sports analyst Rob Parker made sure to deliver that.

“His [Johnson] dad played for the Braves. His dad was a longtime broadcaster for the Braves and Turner. Ernie’s been there his whole career,” Parker said on Fox Sports Radio, speaking of how he knew it would be impossible for Ernie Johnson to leave behind the network he has so long been associated with.

As Parker revealed, Johnson’s father was a long-time sports commentator for TBS, another network under WBD, which also carried sports events through TNT. He came to be the voice of the Atlanta Braves and even called their games with Ernie Johnson Jr. in the 90s. 

Johnson joined TNT around 1990 and has been with the network ever since. Not just limited to basketball, he has also covered other sports. When NBA pros turned analysts like Barkley and Reggie Miller expressed doubts about staying with the company without the NBA, it was almost certain that Johnson wouldn’t be leaving the show.

But turned out, even for Chuck, money isn’t the driving factor behind his decision. He wants to keep the Inside the NBA crew together. Appreciating both their decisions on not being swayed, Parker says on Fox Sports Radio, “I understand loyalty I really do too. Everything’s not for sale you don’t have to go to the highest bidder if the people you work for take care of you.” 

Charles Barkley chose TNT over $100 million

Initially, Barkley alarmed fans with his retirement plans, leaving them desperately hoping and praying he would change his mind. Ultimately, he did. The Philadelphia 76ers legend is now in his third year with the company and has seven more years on his contract. After discussing retirement, Barkley revealed that he has been in talks with other competitors, such as Amazon and ESPN, who have offered him some tantalizing deals. 

However, Barkley had one condition that would stop him from retirement, which is to keep the Inside the NBA family together. He even decided to walk away from a $100 million profit to stay with TNT and continue contributing. “Even though they were throwing crazy numbers, like damn, but as long as I got my people safe at TNT man, I feel really good,” Chuck said at the Dan Le Batard Show.

He was also assured that Inside the NBA would continue, even without the NBA. Chuck isn’t leaving his TNT friends behind. Neither is Johnson. Shaq and and Kenny Smith remain to announce their decision. 

Stay tuned for more such updates and join us for the exciting second episode of the “Dual Threat Show” as our host BG12 sits down with Georgia Bulldogs star and Mountain West All-Freshman Team Selection, Asia Avinger.