Charles Barkley's time on television might not be ending anytime soon.
During the 2024 NBA Finals, Barkley shared that he would be retiring from television after the 2024-25 NBA season. Weeks later, Barkley reaffirmed his long-term commitment to TNT Sports, putting retirement conversations on hold.
After the news became official, Barkley explained why he decided to stay with TNT Sports during an appearance on Dan Le Batard's eponymous show. Barkley was highly sought after in the media free agency market but his decision to remain with TNT is selfless in more ways than one.
Here is more on Barkley's decision to remain on television — specifically TNT.
MORE: Charles Barkley pulls back retirement claim to reaffirm commitment to TNT Sports
Charles Barkley reveals why he gave up $100 million to stay with TNT
Barkley explained to Le Batard that his main motivation to remain with TNT Sports was to ensure the people who worked for the network could still do so.
"The No. 1 thing for me is my people at Turner get to keep their jobs for at least another year," Barkley said. "That's all I was concerned with."
As for the amount of sacrifice, Barkley said he missed out on "a minimum of $100 million" by remaining with TNT Sports and not jumping to another network.
How much did Charles Barkley lose by returning to TNT?
— Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz (@LeBatardShow) August 13, 2024
"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
With the looming reality of TNT Sports losing its rights to cover the NBA, Barkley had the opportunity to exercise a clause in his contract that allowed him to join another network if TNT no longer was a home of the NBA.
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Barkley's $100 million sacrifice insinuates that another network or streaming platform had made a large offer that he ultimately turned down with TNT's staff in mind.
The Hall of Famer, who has been with TNT since 2000, went on to explain how it felt to be courted by other networks.
"It was a great feeling and I want to thank all those networks for reaching out to me," Barkley said. "It was really humbling and cool … Even though they were throwing crazy numbers, I was like 'Damn!' But, as long as I got my people safe at TNT, man, I feel really good."
In true Barkley fashion, he managed to blend in some humor, too.
"Like I say, 'They're gonna pay me to go and talk about nothing so I can't look a gift horse in the mouth!'" he joked. "I probably would have to do an honest day's work if I went to one of those other networks."
Because of Barkley's selflessness, TNT's coverage of the NBA and NCAA Tournament will still feel familiar during the 2024-25 season. What lies beyond remains to be seen.
