Charles Barkley reportedly in negotiations with news channel for primetime show
By Keith Farner
Published:
Charles Barkley is one of the most well-known sports broadcasters around, and the “Inside the NBA” show he’s a part of on TNT is among the most popular shows in sports television.
Now a new network has approached the former Auburn star, and is reportedly in negotiations with him for a primetime show. Puck News’ Dylan Byers reports that negotiations are underway to lure Barkley.
The show would see the 11-time NBA All-Star, Hall of Famer, and current mega-popular TNT Inside the NBA analyst interviewing newsmakers, journalists, and other guests about various topics of the day. The conceit is that a genuine, outspoken, often humorous figure like Barkley might be a bigger draw than the traditional self-serious newsman, and might be better suited to ask guests the kinds of questions that average Americans actually care about. Reached for comment, CNN spokesman Matt Dornic said, “Chris is having conversations with dozens of culturally relevant individuals from the worlds of news, sports, entertainment and comedy.” … If a deal were to manifest it wouldn’t get in the way of his basketball duties, which will always be Barkley’s lodestar even as he’s been open and honest about his desire to branch out.
Barkley briefly drew some interest last year from the LIV golf tour about possibly broadcasting its tournaments, but Barkley ultimately decided to return to TNT.
A former newspaper veteran, Keith Farner is a news manager for Saturday Down South.
