“We’re Not in Competition”: Despite his $100 Million Deal, Charles Barkley Slams $2.2 Billion Employer for Restrictive Broadcast Conditions

There’s no doubt that Charles Barkley loves sports. The NBA legend is known for avidly following the NFL and pro golf. Since leaving the NBA, he’s built his fame as a broadcaster not only within basketball. His current primary broadcast home is on TNT, with which he signed a major contract. However, he’s known to hop in on other networks to give his take on football or golf. While we can see his passion for other sports, it presents an age-old conflict with his contractor.

Barkley was on the Sports Illustrated Media podcast where he spilled everything about his relationship with TNT. He revealed about the network’s displeasure when he doesn’t exclusively stick to them. But at the end of the day, Barkley does it for the greater good.

Charles Barkley on Exclusive sportscasting permission

While on SI Media podcast with Jimmy Traina, Charles Barkley reflected on his broadcasting career since leaving the NBA. He’s currently on Inside the NBA, TNT’s hit show with Ernie Johnson, Kevin Smith, and Shaquille O’Neal. But he’d appear on other networks like ESPN on occasion.

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Traina asked him, “Just for some fun, get permission from Turner [TNT] we want you in the booth for to call one NFL game would you do it?” He had a heated response to it. “Some idiots at Turner and ESPN p**sed me off so bad some years ago.” 

He provided more context that he wanted to do a show with sportscasting legend, Dick Vitale, back then. Barkley and Vitale have worked together, but their respective employers at Turner and ESPN were not very cooperative and they annoyed Barkley. “Because behind the scenes, they’re like little bickering women sometimes like ‘why do you have to go on ESPN?'”  

Barkley told the people at Turner, “Those guys are friends of mine.” But they were still insistent on about his regular appearances on ESPN. It’s an old conflict. Networks always try to retain the exclusivity of their biggest names.

For ‘Sir Charles,’ no restrictions will stop him. He’s got friends all over sports. He enjoys watching other sports broadcasts, and if he has the opportunity to join his friends, he’s willing to do it.

Barkley continues his partnership with Turner

‘The Round Mound of Rebound’ extended his contract with TNT for a $100 million price. He’s, however, hinted that he might retire before the contract is up. But on the same podcast, he told Traina he’s going to stay with Turner.

A big part of his job is working with his friends. Barkley would say that the only way he’d jump to another network is if his fellow ‘Inside Guys’ are signed on too. He would repeat to Traina what he told to Turner that he would work with a friend regardless of the network.

When they still questioned him, he responded, “We’re not in competition. We’re all trying to make basketball popular.” In fact, he proposed that TNT should also invite Dick Vitale to do a show.

We all love watching unrestricted on any network. Or do you hope he’d commit more time to one show?

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