Thursday, August 20, 2026

No LIV: Charles Barkley To Stay With ‘Inside the NBA’

  • Superstar analyst ends flirtation with upstart LIV Golf.
  • Barkley says he’ll stay with Turner for the rest of his TV career.
Charles-Barkley-watches-shot-at-LIV-Golf-practice-round
John Jones-USA TODAY Sports

Charles Barkley’s contract flirtation with upstart LIV Golf is over.

The superstar TNT analyst told the New York Post he’s staying with the Emmy Award-winning “Inside the NBA.”

“I want to thank Greg Norman and LIV for their interest in me,” said Barkley Friday. “I wish those guys great success and nothing but the best. But, in my best interest, and being fair to Turner — because Turner and basketball have given me every single thing in my life — It is best for me to move on and I’m staying with Turner for the rest of my TV career.”

On Thursday, Barkley played in the pro-am for LIV’s second U.S. event at Trump National Golf Club Bedminster. Afterwards, he met with Will Staeger, LIV’s Chief Media Officer.

“We enjoyed having Charles out at the LIV pro-am yesterday. He’s a larger-than-life presence and he shares and appreciates our vision to grow the sport of golf,” Staeger told Front Office Sports. “So we were happy and appreciative that he was able to come out and join us on the links at Bedminster.”

Barkley has three years and $30 million left on his Turner Sports deal, which runs through the end of the NBA’s 2024-2025 season.

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

Sign up for
The Memo Newsletter

Get the biggest stories and best analysis on the business of sports delivered to your inbox twice every weekday and twice on weekends.

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

Emory Eagles guard Ben Pearce (10) passes around Mary Washington Eagles forward Jay Randall (11) on Sunday, April 5, 2026, during the NCAA DIII men's basketball championship game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.

Division III Basketball Star Sues NCAA for 5th Year of Eligibility

If the case is successful, thousands more NCAA athletes could receive eligibility.

Buss Family Drama Won’t Stop Lakers Sale to Iger and Kushner

Sources say the deal is unaffected by the Buss family dispute.

LIV Golf CEO: ‘I Hope We Can’ Pay Unpaid Vendors

Lawsuits over missed payments are piling up.
Jan 14, 2026; Dallas, Texas, USA; A view of the Denver Nuggets logo on the shorts of guard Tim Hardaway Jr. (10) during the game against the Dallas Mavericks at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
Exclusive

Noah Reed, Katy Winge Form New Nuggets Broadcast Team

Jason Richardson and Lauren Gardner will also join Nuggets broadcasts.
podcast thumbnail mobile
Front Office Sports Today

8/20/26 -McAfee Joins ESPN’s ‘MNC,’ Walter’s $17B Problem, Bueckers-Fudd Go Public

0:00

Featured Today

Trendy Golf Hat Divide Is More Than a Fashion Fight

As golf has gotten trendier, so has the sport’s style.
Joey Spallina of the Maryland Whipsnakes
August 6, 2026

How Eye Black Became ‘War Paint’ on the Field

“You’re going into battle, doing something you only do on game days.”
August 6, 2026

Tom Brady Explains His Aggressive Push Into Trading Cards

Brady talked to FOS about his eponymous card company.
FILE PHOTO: Cricket - Indian Premier League - IPL - Mumbai Indians v Chennai Super Kings - Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai, India - April 23, 2026 Mumbai Indians' Suryakumar Yadav in action
August 5, 2026

India Is Stealing Cricket’s Throne From England and Australia

India’s insatiable appetite for cricket has shifted the traditional locus of power.
WPBL
July 30, 2026

Who’s Playing Women’s Professional Baseball?

Sixty players from 11 countries are descending on Illinois for six weeks.
Aug 15, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders (2) passes the ball againnst the Chicago Bears during the second half at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Patrick Gorski-Imagn Images
August 20, 2026

NFL Network’s Initial ESPN Preseason Ratings Rise 3%

Rams-Chiefs averaged a Week 1-high 2.38 million viewers.
Jan 18, 2025; Atlanta, GA, USA; Greg McElroy during 2025 CFP National Championship Media Day at Georgia World Congress Center, Building A. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
August 20, 2026

Greg McElroy Talks SEC vs. Big Ten Debate, Next Top Coaches

The ex-Alabama QB is entering his 13th season with ESPN.
Sponsored

Saints Great Turns to Ownership

Marques Colston discusses his Champions Fund launch and finding success after football.
Soccer Football - FIFA World Cup 2026 - Semi Final - England v Argentina - Fans gather in Atlanta - Atlanta, Georgia, U.S. - July 15, 2026 England fans gather in a bar after the match REUTERS/Megan Varner
August 19, 2026

Nielsen Set to Make Co-Viewing Official Just As Fall Sports Arrive

Enhanced co-viewing will become part of Nielsen’s official measurements.
Feb 4, 2026; San Francisco, CA, USA; NFL Network host Colleen Wolfe on radio row at the Super Bowl LX media center at the Moscone Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
Exclusive
August 19, 2026

NFL Media Re-Arms As Andrew Siciliano, Colleen Wolfe Return

Michael Yam, Trevor Sikkema, and Brett Kollmann are also joining NFL Media.
Feb 6, 2026; San Francisco, CA, USA; Pat McAfee on the Pat McAfee Show set at the Super Bowl LX media center at the Moscone Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
August 19, 2026

Pat McAfee’s ESPN Ascent Continues With ‘Monday Night Countdown’

Jason McCourty is also joining the “Monday Night Countdown” cast.
Deion Sanders takes in the second day of Cleveland Browns training camp, July 30, 2026, in Berea, Ohio.
August 18, 2026

Colorado’s ‘Prime Effect’ Is Wearing Off

Fewer national TV broadcasts loom for Colorado following a 3–9 season.