• Loading stock data...
Tuesday, February 3, 2026
exclusive
Tuned In

Blake Griffin in Talks With Amazon, NBC for Charles Barkley–Esque Role

  • Griffin announced his retirement this April after a 15-year career during which he played in six All-Star games.
  • Griffin could be positioning himself to lead Amazon Prime’s coverage much as Charles Barkley has on TNT Sports’ Inside the NBA.
Jonathan Dyer-USA TODAY Sports

Blake Griffin has become a sought-after TV free agent among the NBA’s next group of TV partners, Front Office Sports has learned.

The six-time NBA All-Star, who retired this year, is in talks with Amazon Prime Video about becoming part of their NBA coverage during the 2025–2026 season, according to multiple sources. Griffin could be poised to become “the face” of Prime’s coverage, said one source. 

But the 35-year-old has other suitors. He could also end up with NBC Sports, which is returning to hoops coverage for the first time in 20 years. Don’t count out incumbent ESPN, which holds the league’s “A” game package and exclusive rights to the NBA Finals.

“A lot of people are very interested in him,” said one source. “Blake is making the rounds.”

Griffin could be positioning himself to lead Amazon Prime’s coverage much as Charles Barkley has on TNT Sports’ Inside the NBA. But it’s unclear exactly what kind of role he’s looking for. Given his stardom and comedic chops (he’s performed with the late Norm McDonald, John Mulaney, and Whitney Cummings, among others), he’d be a natural as either a game or studio analyst. 

Griffin announced his retirement this April after a 15-year career. The first overall pick by the Clippers in the 2009 draft was named Rookie of the Year for the 2010–2011 season. He also won the Slam Dunk Contest that year by memorably leaping over a parked car.

With his thunderous dunks and engaging personality, Griffin was always a darling of Madison Avenue, collecting endorsement deals with Nike, Kia, Subway, and AT&T. He currently boasts deals with Hyperice and Lemon Perfect. He’s an investor in the new SlamBall league.

Meanwhile, the New York Post reports play-by-play announcer Ian Eagle is in “serious talks” to join Prime’s NBA coverage. Over at NBC, Mike Tirico and Ian Eagle’s son, Noah Eagle, are expected to serve as the network’s lead play-by-play announcers, per the Post. The Athletic reported Prime will create original theme music for its 60-game package, with games streaming on Thursdays and Fridays.

ESPN just snared Shams Charania as its senior NBA insider to replace the retired Adrian Wojnarowski. For months, other free-agent NBA TV talents have been waiting for a hiring surge as Amazon and NBCUniversal join ESPN in the NBA’s game rotation. I’m hearing these new partners want to have some of their major hires locked up by the All-Star break, so get your popcorn ready.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Feb 1, 2026; Santa Clara, CA, USA; New England Patriots players arrive prior to Super Bowl LX at San Jose Mineta International Airport.

Private Equity Has Reached the Super Bowl

The Patriots are one of four NFL teams with PE investment.

Goodell on Epstein-Linked Owner, Belichick Snub, and Bad Bunny

The commissioner says the league “will follow the facts” regarding Steve Tisch.

Goodell: NFL Must ‘Make Progress’ After No Black Head Coach Hires

There were a record-tying 10 head coach vacancies this year.
exclusive

WNBA Offered No Proposal at Critical CBA Meeting

Players and owners met for three hours in New York on Monday.

Featured Today

University of Southern California

College Athletic Departments Are Wooing Recruits With Content Studios

Schools are creating content studios to win recruits and donor dollars.
Dec 25, 2025; Denver, Colorado, USA; Denver Nuggets forward Spencer Jones (21) reacts against the Minnesota Timberwolves during the second half at Ball Arena
January 30, 2026

Spencer Jones Is Having a Moment in the NBA—and on LinkedIn

The Nuggets forward and Stanford grad is a prolific poster and investor.
Tim Jenkins
January 24, 2026

How One NFL Pass Turned Into a Career on YouTube

Tim Jenkins missed the NFL. He took his football IQ to YouTube.
January 17, 2026

Sports Goes All In on Non-Alcoholic Drinks Boom

Athletes, teams, and leagues are pouring money into the NA beverage category.
Oct 31, 2025; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Los Angeles Dodgers two-way player Shohei Ohtani (17) and pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto (18) and pitcher Roki Sasaki (11) celebrate with the Commissioner's Trophy in the clubhouse after defeating the Toronto Blue Jays in the 2025 MLB World Series at Rogers Centre.

World Series G7 Audience Count Final: 51M Across U.S., Canada, Japan

The average global audience for Game 7 surpassed 51 million viewers.
October 31, 2025

Frozen Frenzy Ratings Climb 20% Despite Scheduling Complaints

The hockey event posts a 20% viewership bump, despite World Series competition.
November 2, 2025

ESPN, ABC Still Dark on YouTube TV As Cowboys ‘MNF’ Game Looms

ABC and ESPN’s college football slate was blacked out Saturday.
Sponsored

From Kobe Bryant to Tom Brady: Mike Repole’s Billion-Dollar Playbook

Mike Repole shares an inside look into building brands & working with star athletes.
October 31, 2025

YouTube TV Loses ESPN, ABC Just Before Big Sports Weekend

More than 20 channels go dark on the No. 4 U.S. pay-TV distributor.
Rich Paul
exclusive
October 31, 2025

Rich Paul, Max Kellerman in Talks for Show With The Ringer

“The Ringer” sold to Spotify in 2020.
Oct 28, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Toronto Blue Jays first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (27) throws his bat after hitting a two run home run as Los Angeles Dodgers two-way player Shohei Ohtani (17) looks on during the third inning of game four of the 2025 MLB World Series at Dodger Stadium.
October 30, 2025

World Series Game 5: Largest Blue Jays Audience Ever on Canadian TV

Canadian viewership continues to be a major storyline of the World Series.
Dec 10, 2023; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) talks with Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) after a game at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium.
October 30, 2025

CBS Bets Big on Chiefs-Bills Rivalry As AFC Landscape Changes

Big viewership likely awaits the revival of the NFL rivalry.