ESPN-TNT Pact Expands With Charles Barkley–Dick Vitale Collab

Dick Vitale and Charles Barkley have more than 100 years in basketball between them, and now they will be calling two college hoops games together.

ESPN, TNT, and CBS announced Vitale and Barkley will be calling Indiana-Kentucky on Saturday, Dec. 13 on ESPN (with play-by-play broadcaster Dave O’Brien) and will also be together for a game during the 2026 NCAA tournament’s First Four on truTV.

ESPN and TNT Sports have worked together on a number of initiatives in recent years. Notably, ESPN engineered a trade in which it is licensing Big 12 football and basketball games to TNT in return for the right to air Inside the NBA—the iconic studio show featuring Barkley, Shaquille O’Neal, Kenny Smith, and host Ernie Johnson. The program continues to be produced by TNT and licensed to ESPN. 

ESPN is also sublicensing College Football Playoff games to TNT, an arrangement that will expand in future seasons. 

“Dick and Charles are two of the most entertaining and iconic voices in basketball, so having them together on the same broadcast is a true gift for fans,” ESPN president of content Burke Magnus said in a statement. “We are thrilled to have it come to fruition, especially for a marquee college basketball rivalry game like Indiana-Kentucky in primetime on ESPN.”

CBS Sports has previously invited Vitale to be part of NCAA tournament coverage, but he declined. 

“This is a unique opportunity for Dick and Charles, two of the biggest personalities in the game, to be side-by-side calling games for the first time,” TNT Sports EVP and chief content officer Craig Barry said. “This is great for the game and the fans; we can’t wait to see what unfolds.”