Charles Barkley willing to give up nearly $30 million due to retirement commitment

Samir Mehdi | 04/09/2022
Charles Barkley willing to give up nearly $30 million due to retirement commitment

Charles Barkley wanting to retire at 60 years old leads to him missing out on completing his $30 million contract with TNT. 

Charles Barkley retired from the game of basketball after one final disappointing season with the Houston Rockets in 2000. 16 years after being drafted, Chuck had established himself as one of the greatest power forwards of all time all while being one of the most polarizing figures to have ever stepped foot on NBA hardwood. 

His antics and head-turning takes during media availability led to him being pursued by Turner Sports. Sure enough, that same year of his retirement saw Barkley put an oversized suit on to appear on national television alongside Ernie Johnson and Kenny ‘The Jet’ Smith in what would become one of the most beloved sports commentary shows of all time. 

It has been 22 years since Charles Barkley entered the set of ‘Inside the NBA’ and fans were in disarray when they found out that ‘The Round Mound of Rebound’ was planning on retiring from NBAonTNT the second he turns 60 years old. This would mean this upcoming 2022-23 season would be his final season of sports commentary.

Also read: 6’6″ Charles Barkley claimed Tim Duncan as Best Power Forward, talks about why he has more points

Charles Barkley would be leaving a serious amount of money on the table. 

“I don’t want to die on TV. I want to die on the golf course or somewhere fishing. I don’t want to be sitting inside over by fat-a** Shaq to drop dead,” said Charles Barkley earlier this year. Chuck has his eyes set on a reasonable age for retirement and rightfully so. 

From 1984 to 2023, Barkley has given his heart and soul to the game of basketball. That’s 39 years which is close to two thirds of his life. However, the one factor that may sway Barkley into perhaps chugging along for another 5 years or so would be money. 

According to reports when there were rumblings of him leaving ‘Inside the NBA’ for LIV Golf, Chuck is signed on for 3 more years instead of the previously reported 2 years. Those 3 years would get him $30 million in total ($10 million each year).

Chuck turns 60 next February and if he truly does want to retire at 60 years old, it seems as though he would be missing out on upwards of $20 million at the minimum.

Also read: Charles Barkley’s sneak diss at Kevin Garnett backfired in the most hilarious fashion instantly!

Post Edited By: Tonoy Sengupta
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Samir Mehdi

Samir Mehdi is a senior strategist for the NBA division at The Sportsrush. Ever since he was 13 years old, he’s been obsessed with the game of basketball. From watching Kobe Bryant’s highlights on YouTube to now, analyzing and breaking down every single game on League Pass, Samir’s passion for the game is unwavering. He's a complete basketball junkie who not only breaks down current games but also keenly watches ones from the 60s’ and 70s’ while also reading comprehensive books on the history of the league. Samir’s life revolves around basketball and he hopes that shows in his work. Aside from work, he loves to spend time in the gym and with his friends at social gatherings.

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