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Back in July, many NBA fans were very worried when Charles Barkley revealed that he was in discussions to possibly leave TNT and instead do broadcasting for LIV Golf.
“I met with Greg [Norman]. He asked me was I interested. I said, of course, I’m here,” Barkley told Dan Patrick at that time. “I wouldn’t have dinner with you if I wasn’t interested and I’m waiting for them to make me a offer, I guess.”
During that discussion, Barkley also hinted about what kind of money he was making with TNT after Dan Patrick suggested he could be making $20 million per year.
He admitted to Patrick, “Listen, I’m not going to get on here and say it’s not about the money. Of course it’s about the money.”
Now it sounds like TNT backed up the Brinks truck to Barkley’s house because he will reportedly be staying with TNT in an expanded role.
“Last week, I had lunch with Charles — who is just a lovely man,” WarnerBrothers Discovery chief content officer of U.S. networks Kathleen Finch told The Hollywood Reporter. “It was really fun to sit down with him and celebrate his new contract, because he is such a fabulous part of that team and he is just such a really special guy.
“I’m excited to find other ways to put him on television talking about something other than basketball,” she added. “Because he has a lot to say. He’s just a regular guy interested in a lot of things. I got him excited about Celebrity IOU.”
NBA fans were also very excited about the news that Chuck will be staying on Inside the NBA
Good for Charles, Turr a bull for Turner bank account
— 🤘🇺🇸 N8daGR8 🇺🇸🤘 (@nateman79) October 12, 2022
“The more Charles the better as far as I’m concerned,” another fan tweeted.
“This is gonna lead to Shaq powerbombing Chuck on AEW,” another joked.
If I haven't said it before (I have), I'll say it again. I'll watch anything with this guy. He's awesome. If Marshawn Lynch and Charles Barkley @NBAonTNT could be the only commentators for every game of every sport, the world would be a better place. https://t.co/Re8DZp4pYc
— JaguarsTalk (@realJaguarsTalk) October 12, 2022
Unfortunately, Finch had to walk back her comments a little bit as, after the publication of her interview, she issued a statement which read, “I recently attended a great lunch meeting with members of the WBD leadership team and Charles. It was an amazing conversation centered on the importance of premium sports content to our networks and broader company and we all left the meeting feeling inspired. I jumped the gun in the THR story and was premature with what was shared regarding his new contract. I committed a flagrant 2 foul with this one, but we’re all excited for the future possibilities with Charles as part of Warner Bros. Discovery.”
Ruh roh.
So, is Charles Barkley really coming back to TNT? Finch’s post-interview statement has certainly muddied, rather than clarified things. Fingers crossed.