After sharing with his millions of fans that he had been in talks with LIV, Barkley has ended any speculation, stating: ‘I’m staying with Turner for the rest of my TV career’
However, the caveat for the basketball Hall of Famer who is now staying put at TNT, it is unclear whether Turner will extend Barkley’s contract which has three years left to go. Coincidentally, his contract ends at the same time as the network’s deal with the NBA.
With the third event of LIV Golf underway at Trump National Bedminster, beginning on Friday, and pro golfer Bubba Watson being announced as the newest signing during the broadcast things are continuing to get more, and more interesting for the new Saudi-backed series.
Speaking to the New York Post, the former Basketball player turned TV analyst, revealed that he won’t be moving to LIV Golf as a broadcaster. “I want to thank Greg Norman and LIV for their interest in me. I wish those guys great success and nothing but the best. But, in my best interest, and being fair to Turner — because Turner and basketball have given me every single thing in my life, it is best for me to move on and I’m staying with Turner for the rest of my TV career,” said 59-year old Barkley.
Barkley is a former MVP with the NBA and has $30 million remaining on his TNT deal. The New York Post and Barkley also stated that, besides the $10 million a year he makes from TNT, he also makes another $10 million in endorsements, including Subway, Capital One and Dick’s Sporting Goods.
“My number one priority is to be fair to Turner and my sponsors to be honest with you,” Barkley explained. “I couldn’t just keep them holding on so I made up my mind [Thursday] night. I was like, ‘Make a decision and live with it.’ ”
The only way that LIV could possibly attract Barkley is, “If they offer me something crazy, I’m gonna take it too. Considering how much I make now, it would take a really huge number for me to give up my life right now. I’m not gonna give up my life for… I don’t like to talk about how much money I make,” he said while speaking on The Dan Patrick Show.
