• Loading stock data...
Saturday, March 28, 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

Mar 27, 2026; Washington, DC, USA; Duke Blue Devils forward Cameron Boozer (12) attempts to dribble the ball past St. John's Red Storm forward Bryce Hopkins (23) in the first half during a Sweet Sixteen game of the East Regional of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Capital One Arena

Duke vs. St. John’s: The Battle of Dueling Roster Strategies

In the “unrestricted free agency” era, the Blue Devils won out.
Aug 27, 2025; Arlington, Texas, USA; Connecticut Sun forward Aneesah Morrow (24) grabs a rebound against the Dallas Wings during the first half at College Park Center.

Fertittas to Purchase Connecticut Sun for Record $300 Million

The Sun will play the 2026 season in Connecticut before relocating to Houston.
Tiger Woods of Jupiter Links GC tees off during match against Los Angeles Golf Club during the TGL finals at SoFi Center on March 24, 2026, in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida.

Tiger Woods Arrested for DUI After Another Rollover Car Crash

Woods was not seriously injured in the Friday afternoon accident.

Bettors Target ‘Microbets’ With Suits Against FanDuel, DraftKings

Plaintiffs’ losses range from $170,000 to more than $1.8 million.

Featured Today

Maxime Vachier Lagrave

The Planet’s Best Chess Players Are Having Their LIV Golf Moment

Chess’s most prestigious tournament is battling a splashy Saudi event.
Beau Brune/LSU
March 22, 2026

College Athletic Departments Are Becoming Media Companies

“There’s only so many tickets you can sell, but content is infinite.”
March 18, 2026

AI College Recruiting Reels Aren’t Fooling Scouts

College coaches and recruiters are way ahead of cheating athletes.
March 7, 2026

Alex Eala Has Become One of the Biggest Draws in Tennis

Eala will face Coco Gauff in the third round at Indian Wells.
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

Cameron Boozer & Cayden Boozer Talk Pressure, Benefit of Playing Together

The Boozer twins have built their games, and their identities, side by side.
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.