Wednesday, July 1, 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.

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Sign up for the
Tuned In Newsletter

Get the latest sports media scoops & insights straight to your inbox once a week.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Breaking

Celtics Send Jaylen Brown to Sixers in Swap of Huge Contracts

Paul George is set to make $54 million next year.
Jan 25, 2025; San Francisco, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) talks with Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) and forward Draymond Green (right) after the game at Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images

LeBron Watch 2026: Where Does the NBA’s Biggest Free Agent Fit Best?

James won’t return to the Lakers after eight seasons.

Can Portugal Make a World Cup Run Amid the Ronaldo Circus?

Portugal is conducting an unprecedented experiment.
Oct 24, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; NBA on Prime reporter Allie Clifton (right) interviews Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves (15) after the game against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Allie Clifton Credits ‘Road Trippin’ for Changing Her Career

Richard Jefferson approached Clifton to join the podcast in 2017.
podcast thumbnail mobile
Front Office Sports Today

7/1/26 – LeBron Leaves the Lakers, Kawhi to Toronto, Sorsby Drops NFL Fight, Serena Falls at Wimbledon

0:00

Featured Today

Kansas City Chiefs

NFL Teams Push to Turn Futbol Fans Into Football Devotees

NFL teams are courting international soccer fans during their World Cup visits.
June 26, 2026

What We Saw Traveling the U.S. for the World Cup Group Stage

The knockout stage begins Sunday.
June 26, 2026

In an Era of $1,000 Tickets, $10 Watch Parties Bring Fans Together

Stadium watch parties now rival home-game experiences.
June 25, 2026

Italian Americans Have Severe World Cup FOMO

Bars and restaurants in Boston, Philly, and beyond are missing the Azzurri.
Indiana Fever guard Lexie Hull (10) celebrates a three-point basket Monday, June 22, 2026, during the game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. The Indiana Fever defeated the Phoenix Mercury, 86-77
June 24, 2026

Female Athletes Are Trying to Build the ‘Athleisure of Beauty’

“Performance cosmetics” have emerged alongside the women’s sports boom.
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 Still Dark on YouTube TV As ‘MNF’ Looms

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

Josh Childress: Why Now Is the Time for NBA Expansion

Josh Childress on why he invested in the Portland Thorns, the case for NBA expansion, and donating to Stanford NIL.
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 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 Betting on Chiefs-Bills Delivering Big Once Again

Big viewership likely awaits the revival of the NFL rivalry.