Legendary basketball participant turned broadcaster Charles Barkley is reportedly in talks with CNN for a weeknight present.
Barkley has greater than 20 years of tv expertise and is an NBA analyst on the long-running “Inside the NBA” sports activities present on TNT. But he not too long ago revealed that he’s solely contemplating the CNN program due to the potential for working with information broadcaster Gayle King.
“They are trying to pair Gayle King and me,” Barkley instructed the New York Post. “We don’t have anything set in stone. I’m only considering it because of my respect for Gayle.”
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Charles Barkley is honored for being chosen to the NBA seventy fifth Anniversary Team throughout halftime of the NBA All-Star Game at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in Cleveland on Feb. 20, 2022. (Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports)
Any potential Barkley-King present wouldn’t air each weekday evening, doubtless because of their present respective schedules.
Even if Barkley had extra availability, he doesn’t seem open to doing a nightly present: “That is never going to happen,” Barkley stated.
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According to Puck, a digital media platform, CNN has had an curiosity in King for a while. She at present co-hosts the “CBS Mornings” program.
Barkley, who turned 60 earlier this week, not too long ago signed a 10-year contract with TNT’s mother or father firm, Warner Brothers Discovery (WBD), after he flirted with LIV Golf to affix their broadcasting group. He additionally perviously talked about that he would look to retire as soon as he turns 60.
Barkley’s broadcast companions Shaquille O’Neal, Ernie Johnson and Kenny Smith have additionally signed extensions with the community. O’Neal and Smith have a knack for enjoying off of Barkley’s character whereas Johnson runs level. The chemistry between the 4 has helped the present keep its recognition through the years.
Charles Barkley (Prince Williams / Wireimage / File)
WBD should renegotiate their settlement with the NBA after the 2024-2025 season because the broadcasting rights contract is about to run out at the moment. WBD additionally owns CNN.
“I just want to help the company because obviously it is a s–t show right now,” Barkley stated. “Anything I can do to help.”
Barkley has usually opined on topics exterior the game world through the years.
Gayle King (AP Photo / Richard Drew / File)
Meanwhile, King has a relationship with CNN CEO Chris Licht from their time working collectively at CBS greater than a decade in the past. Barkley and King grew to become associates after he appeared on Oprah Winfrey’s present.
He spoke extremely of King when requested about what it might be prefer to pair up together with her on a present: “It would be an honor and a privilege to work with Gayle,” Barkley stated.
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It stays unclear when a possible present would start airing, if a deal have been to undergo. Barkley will quickly start his broadcasting duties for the NCAA males’s basketball match earlier than beginning his NBA playoffs protection.