Despite rumors that he was in talks with LIV Golf, NBA Hall-of-Famer Charles Barkley has decided to stay with Turner Sports and remain one of the faces of TNT’s award-winning “Inside The NBA”.
A fan favorite throughout the NBA, Barkley helped transform “Inside The NBA” into more than just a playoff, halftime and postgame show alongside Ernie Johnson, Shaquille O’Neal and Kenny “The Jet” Smith , has helped change the way the media is involved in professional sports.
“I want to thank Greg Norman and LIV for their interest in me,” Barkley told The Post in a phone interview. “I wish those guys great success and nothing but the best. But, for me, and to be fair to Turner – because Turner and basketball have given me everything in my life. I’d better move on and I’ll stay with Turner for the rest of my TV career. “
LIV Golf has come under a lot of scrutiny in recent months due to the fact that they are backed by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund. Barkley said that this was not the reason for his decision.
“My No. 1 priority is to be fair to Turner and my donors, to be honest with you,” Barkley continued. “I couldn’t hold on to them so I made a decision (Thursday) night. I was like, ‘Make a decision and live with it.'”
While they have signed other major players from the PGA Tour such as Dustin Johnson, Brooks Koepka, Bryson DeChambeau and Phil Mickelson, LIV Golf has not been able to lure Charles Barkley away from Turner Sports. It will be interesting to see if they look at other members of the big news talking about other professional games in a studio-like environment.
Charles Barkley will return to “Inside The NBA” for the 2022-23 NBA season with Ernie Johnson, Shaquille O’Neal and Kenny Smith for their 12th season together.
