Charles Barkley, months after flirting with LIV Golf, agrees to mega-deal with TNT

“I’m blessed to be able to do live television for a living.”

Charles Barkley has a new contract with TNT that a report says will pay him well north of $100 million, and possibly as much as $200 million, over 10 years.

Barkley, 59, had discussions with the LIV Golf Series back in July but told Golfweek at the event in Bedminster, New Jersey, that “they haven’t offered me anything.”

He added: “My number one priority is Turner, and I’m not gonna keep Turner in limbo. So that’s my priority. They’ve given me everything I have.”

Barkley’s mega-deal was reported by the New York Post, which noted that he’s currently making about $10 million a year.

It was at the pro-am event in New Jersey in July that he played some golf but also talked contract terms with LIV.

“I’ve got friends on both tours, it was great to see some of my friends I haven’t seen in a minute like Brooks [Koepka], Bryson [DeChambeau], Pat Perez, I wish these guys great success,” Barkley explained. “I’m gonna support LIV. I’m gonna support the PGA Tour.”

The Post reports that when Barkley was talking with LIV, he had not yet started negotiations with Turner, who has Shaquille O’Neal on a long-term deal and announced the re-signings of studio host Ernie Johnson and analyst Kenny Smith this week.

“We’re all a big family — Ernie, Kenny and Shaquille are brothers to me — and I wouldn’t still be here if it wasn’t for them and all the amazing people who work on our show,” Barkley told the Post. “I’m not gonna lie, though, this is a life-altering deal … and I’m blessed to be able to do live television for a living.”

Golfweek’s Adam Woodard contributed to this article.

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Charles Barkley reportedly inks new nine-figure TNT deal

The Auburn alumnus has stated that he plans to retire at 60, but a new deal with TNT would seem to say otherwise.

Auburn alumnus [autotag]Charles Barkley[/autotag] will be sticking around at TNT, and it looks like the network will make it well worth his while.

Andrew Marchand of the New York Post reported on Monday that Barkley is set to get a 10-year extension with the network as a television analyst for basketball. The deal is said to be “well north” of 100 million dollars and could perhaps be closer to 200 million dollars.

Barkley joined TNT in 2000 and he is entering his 22nd year with the program. This would seemingly go against Barkley’s own assertion in 2018 that he would retire at 60 years old in 2023, as this new reported contract with TNT would carry him to 69 years old in 2032. With the deal, Barkley will resume analysis with TNT’s quartet of himself, Shaquille O’Neal, Ernie Johnson and Kenny Smith, all of whom are signed to TNT for the long term.

The report also states that Barkley could produce documentaries with his Round Mound Media production company.

Report: Charles Barkley to play in LIV Golf pro-am at Trump Bedminster event as he mulls move

There’s a lot of smoke around Barkley and LIV Golf.

Over the last week the LIV Golf Invitational Series has added three players and one fan-favorite analyst to its upstart team of talent. It appears the Greg Norman-led and Saudi Arabia-funded series its closing in on another beloved broadcaster.

On a recent episode of the Pat McAfee Show, 11-time NBA All-Star and current TNT analyst Charles Barkley said he’d “kill a relative” for $200 million in regards to the reported deals that PGA Tour players have received for joining LIV Golf. Last week Barkley confirmed he’d meet with LIV and on Thursday he told the New York Post that he’s playing in next week’s pro-am for the third event of the series at Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster, New Jersey.

According to the Post, Barkley and Norman met for dinner in Atlanta Wednesday night and discussed what his role would be with LIV. The current LIV broadcast, which is only available via online streaming, boasts former voice of the Premier League on NBC Arlo White, who is in his first foray as a golf announcer. He’s joined in the booth by former Golf Channel analyst Jerry Foltz as well as Dom Boulet.

LIV Golf has long been criticized as a way for the Saudi government to sportswash its human rights record. It offers 54-hole events with no cuts and guaranteed money for the 48-player fields, as well as multi-million dollar deals, some north of $100 million.

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Warriors’ Draymond Green to join TNT as league’s first active player/broadcaster

In an NBA first, Green will join “Inside the NBA” among other appearances while still playing in the league.

In what will be a historic first for an active player in the NBA, Golden State Warriors veteran big man Draymond Green will join the Turner Network Television sports broadcasting team as an active player.

Per an official release from Turner Network Television and the NBA, the Michigan State product “will contribute to Inside the NBA as an active player in a first-of-its-kind deal,” presumably joining the likes of Shaquille O’Neal, Ernie Johnson Jr., Kenny Smith, and Charles Barkley. Previously a frequent guest of the show’s 2020 and 2021 NBA Playoffs, Green will join the broadcast team in what is being called ‘an exclusive, multiyear agreement.”

The three-time champion will make “appearances on TNT’s Inside the NBA, among additional content initiatives throughout the Turner Sports and Bleacher Report portfolio, as an active player, per the release.

“I’ve had an amazing experience working with Turner Sports in recent years and I’m a big believer in the way they entertain and genuinely connect with fans on all levels,” related Green via the release.

“Today’s announcement helps to formalize our relationship and I couldn’t be prouder to officially be a part of the TNT family.”

This post originally appeared on Warriors Wire! Follow us on Facebook.

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Wait, 777 yards? No. 17 at Moonlight Basin should give The Match contestants all they can handle.

The second-to-last hole on the Reserve at Moonlight Basin in Montana has a gaudy number in the yardage column.

It’s almost shocking when you see it on the scorecard.

The second-to-last hole on The Reserve at Moonlight Basin, a Jack Nicklaus Signature Course, has a gaudy number in the yardage column — 777.

As in 777 mind-blowing yards from tee to green.

But with the elevation—sitting at roughly 7,500 feet—and the drop along the fairway, big hitters will likely expect to get to this beast in two. This will all take place during The Match, the fourth edition of the made-for-TV event, which will be played at a spectacular golf course in Big Sky, Montana.

2020 U.S. Open champ Bryson DeChambeau will team with Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers, while Phil Mickelson will again pair with Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady. The event is scheduled for 5 p.m. ET on TNT, with a pregame show at 4 p.m. on the Bleacher Report app.

While standing on the tee, players see a bunker in the distance, but smack in the middle of the fairway. It’s a nearly 400-yard poke to the sand, but soon after, the fairway dives hard downhill to the green. As the players approach the bunker, the view is striking, with the mountains rising above the dance floor.

The 17th hole at the Reserve at Moonlight Basin, site of the fourth installment of “The Match” featuring Phil Mickelson and Tom Brady vs. Bryson DeChambeau and Aaron Rodgers. (Photo courtesy The Reserve at Moonlight Basin.)

If the players are accurate off the tee, they’ll have a legitimate chance for the green as they’re due to get plenty of carry on their second shot.

But don’t miss right. If so, a massive bunker awaits.

The 17th hole at the Reserve at Moonlight Basin, site of the fourth installment of “The Match” featuring Phil Mickelson and Tom Brady vs. Bryson DeChambeau and Aaron Rodgers. (Photo courtesy The Reserve at Moonlight Basin.)

Once on the green, the players can look back and see equally impressive views.

The 17th hole at the Reserve at Moonlight Basin, site of the fourth installment of “The Match” featuring Phil Mickelson and Tom Brady vs. Bryson DeChambeau and Aaron Rodgers. (Photo courtesy The Reserve at Moonlight Basin.)

All this should make for an interesting challenge, especially with DeChambeau and Mickelson taking huge cuts in an attempt to get there in two.

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Wait, 777 yards? No. 17 at Moonlight Basin should give The Match contestants all they can handle.

The second-to-last hole on the Reserve at Moonlight Basin in Montana has a gaudy number in the yardage column.

It’s almost shocking when you see it on the scorecard.

The second-to-last hole on The Reserve at Moonlight Basin, a Jack Nicklaus Signature Course, has a gaudy number in the yardage column — 777.

As in 777 mind-blowing yards from tee to green.

But with the elevation—sitting at roughly 7,500 feet—and the drop along the fairway, big hitters will likely expect to get to this beast in two. This will all take place during The Match, the fourth edition of the made-for-TV event, which will be played at a spectacular golf course in Big Sky, Montana.

2020 U.S. Open champ Bryson DeChambeau will team with Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers, while Phil Mickelson will again pair with Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady. The event is scheduled for 5 p.m. ET on TNT, with a pregame show at 4 p.m. on the Bleacher Report app.

While standing on the tee, players see a bunker in the distance, but smack in the middle of the fairway. It’s a nearly 400-yard poke to the sand, but soon after, the fairway dives hard downhill to the green. As the players approach the bunker, the view is striking, with the mountains rising above the dance floor.

The 17th hole at the Reserve at Moonlight Basin, site of the fourth installment of “The Match” featuring Phil Mickelson and Tom Brady vs. Bryson DeChambeau and Aaron Rodgers. (Photo courtesy The Reserve at Moonlight Basin.)

If the players are accurate off the tee, they’ll have a legitimate chance for the green as they’re due to get plenty of carry on their second shot.

But don’t miss right. If so, a massive bunker awaits.

The 17th hole at the Reserve at Moonlight Basin, site of the fourth installment of “The Match” featuring Phil Mickelson and Tom Brady vs. Bryson DeChambeau and Aaron Rodgers. (Photo courtesy The Reserve at Moonlight Basin.)

Once on the green, the players can look back and see equally impressive views.

The 17th hole at the Reserve at Moonlight Basin, site of the fourth installment of “The Match” featuring Phil Mickelson and Tom Brady vs. Bryson DeChambeau and Aaron Rodgers. (Photo courtesy The Reserve at Moonlight Basin.)

All this should make for an interesting challenge, especially with DeChambeau and Mickelson taking huge cuts in an attempt to get there in two.

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Each a co-owner of an NBA Finals team, Aaron Rodgers and Larry Fitzgerald to connect at The Match

Aaron Rodgers and Larry Fitzgerald will be in Montana on Tuesday for The Match, and each is also keenly interested in the NBA Finals.

It’s quite amazing sometimes the way story lines intersect in sports. Take The Match, the TNT made-for-TV golf match set for Tuesday.

On one side is Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who will team up with Bryson DeChambeau. That duo squares off against Phil Mickelson and Tom Brady of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. On the call on TNT will be Charles Barkley, Cheyenne Woods and Larry Fitzgerald.

Here’s one of those aforementioned intersections: Rodgers is a minority-stake owner in the Milwaukee Bucks. Fitzgerald, currently an unrestricted free agent who played 17 seasons for the Arizona Cardinals, is a minority-stake owner in the Phoenix Suns.

You can’t make this stuff up.

The Suns and Bucks meet in Game 1 of the NBA Finals at 9 p.m. ET Tuesday . Seven hours prior to the basketball game is The Match, set for 2 p.m. ET at Moonlight Basin in Big Sky, Montana.

Consider there to be more than a good chance all parties involved at The Match will gather after golf to watch the basketball game.

Kinda wish we could join ’em.

Barkley and Mickelson teamed up to win The Match III over Brady and Steph Curry. Mickelson made the cut at the Rocket Mortgage Classic and finished tied for 74th on Sunday, while DeChambeau missed the cut Friday in Detroit.

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Charles Barkley jokes he might caddie for Bryson DeChambeau: ‘He has an opening right now’

The fourth edition of “The Match” is Tuesday night and Charles Barkley is primed and ready for it.

The fourth edition of “The Match” is Tuesday night and Charles Barkley is primed and ready for it.

Barkley, whose day job is as an NBA analyst on TNT, is also one of the on-air commentators for the upcoming golf extravaganza at Moonlight Basin in Big Sky, Montana.

On Saturday, Barkley was with his regular TNT studio mates Ernie Johnson, Shaquille O’Neal and Kenny Smith after the Milwaukee Bucks defeated the Atlanta Hawks to advance to the NBA Finals.

As the post-game show was winding down, Barkley was plugging the TNT golf telecast. If you recall, he teamed up with Phil Mickelson in Arizona to win The Match III.

This time around, Mickelson will pair with Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady and they will take on Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who will team up with Bryson DeChambeau. Barkley will hold a microphone instead of a golf club and call the action alongside Cheyenne Woods and NFL stalwart Larry Fitzgerald, himself an avid golfer.

“I can’t wait,” Barkley said. “I’ve never met Bryson DeChambeau. I can’t wait to meet him. He’s a stud.”

Then Barkley couldn’t help himself.

“I might caddie for him. He’s got an opening right now, apparently.”

Barkley was, of course, referring to the recent buzzworthy split of DeChambeau and Tim Tucker, who was his caddie for all eight of his PGA Tour victories. Tucker and DeChambeau “mutually agreed to go their separate ways” last Wednesday on the eve of the Rocket Mortage Classic in Detroit.

DeChambeau did not meet with the assembled media after either of his Thursday or Friday rounds. He missed the cut and did not play the weekend.

Earlier in the TNT post-game show, Barkley quipped “Do they have cable in Montana?” The Match tees off at 5 p.m. ET, while coverage of Game 1 of the NBA Finals between Barkley’s former team the Phoenix Suns and the Bucks starts at 9 p.m. ET, also on Tuesday.

As for the course, The Reserve at Moonlight Basin is a Jack Nicklaus Signature Course and is listed at No. 3 on Golfweek’s Best private courses in the state of Montana.

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Hornets to have two national television games in second half of regular season

With LaMelo Ball’s rise in popularity and the Hornets vying for the playoffs, Charlotte will appear twice on national TV to finish the year.

With LaMelo Ball’s ascent and the excitement that has surrounded him in his rookie campaign, the Charlotte Hornets will have a pair of national television appearances in the second half of the regular season. The NBA released the remainder of the regular season schedule on Wednesday with ESPN’s The Jump revealing many of the highlight match-ups.

On Thursday, April 1, the Hornets will travel to Brooklyn to take on the superpowered Nets with the game broadcast on TNT. Later in the month, the Hornets and Celtics will play a matinee game on Sunday, April 25 on ESPN at 1 p.m.

Charlotte will also appear on a trio of NBA TV games, once in Los Angeles against the Lakers on March 18 and once on April 27 at home against the Milwaukee Bucks. The big game, though, will come on Sunday, May 9 at 7 p.m. when the Hornets host New Orleans in the second meeting between Lonzo and LaMelo Ball.

The Hornets are currently the ninth seed in the Eastern Conference, tied at six games back of first place with the New York Knicks and Chicago Bulls and trail them only on win percentage. Charlotte’s lone appearance on national television in the first half of the season came on ESPN on Jan. 8 against the Pelicans.

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The Match III: More details emerge including Eli Manning as part of the broadcast

Eli Manning, brother of Peyton, and Andre Iguodala, teammate of Steph Curry, will be part of the broadcast team at The Match III on Nov. 27.

Capital One’s The Match: Champions for Change is only eight days away and the hype machine for this day-after Thanksgiving exhibition is heating up. Earlier this week, Golden State Warriors star Steph Curry joined the No Laying Up podcast and said, “This one’s going to be dope just because, obviously there’s Phil, there’s me, there’s Peyton, and then way down there is Chuck, so he’s going to embarrass himself for sure. It’s just going to be mad fun to rag on him all day.”

In case you’ve been living under a rock, that would be Phil Mickelson and Charles Barkley facing Steph Curry and Peyton Manning in modified alternate shot match play at Stone Canyon Golf Club in Oro Valley, Arizona.

Turner Sports will once again broadcast the third rendition of The Match next Friday at 3 p.m. ET, with exclusive live event coverage available on TNT and live companion content – highlighted by the “Cart Cam” stream – leading up to and during the event through Bleacher Report and the B/R app.

TNT’s live coverage of Capital One’s The Match will be hosted by Brian Anderson, who will provide play-by-play alongside Trevor Immelman and Andre Iguodala, with on-course reporters Cheyenne Woods and Gary McCord. Special guests are also expected to make appearances, joining the telecast via Cisco Webex.

Additionally, Eli Manning, Peyton’s younger brother and a Super Bowl winning quarterback in his own right, will be part of a pre-game show alongside LPGA star Michelle Wie. Eli will do double duty as an on-course correspondent for the Cart Cam live stream. McCord, who ran into Peyton this week at Whisper Rock Golf Club, had an interesting exchange with Peyton about his brother’s involvement in the broadcast: “He told me his brother Eli was going to have some sort of involvement and I said, ‘Is that good or bad?’ He said, ‘It’s not good for me.’ Those two can go at it. If I was a producer, that’s exactly what I’d have done.”

At its essence, The Match is about raising money to highlight diversity, equality and inclusion at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). Through its association with the event, WarnerMedia will make donations to Morehouse College, Howard University, Alabama A&M, Hampton University and Winston-Salem State University, primarily helping to fund golf or sports journalism programs. Additionally, the four golfers have selected Jackson State (Mickelson), Tuskegee (Barkley) and Howard (Curry), along with Grambling State, Southern University at New Orleans and Lane College (Manning), to be the recipients of their donations.

There also will be a series of on-course challenges, aimed at driving additional funding for HBCUs. For each of those holes, there will be a minimum of $100,000 and up to $2,500,000 (on select holes) donated if a golfer is able to make a hole-in-one.

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