“Wrestling in a Parking Lot”: Shaquille O’Neal Tracking Down Charles Barkley in a ‘Limo’ Led to $10 Million TNT Job

Shaquille O’Neal and Charles Barkley have been working together on TNT’ “Inside the NBA” since 2011. The two NBA legends have a great friendship that began during their playing career. During a recent “The Steam Room” podcast appearance, TNT producer Tim Kiely was asked by a viewer what made him believe O’Neal and Barkley would work well on television together.

Kiely responded with a story of when Charles Barkley was working with TNT, and they ran into Shaquille O’Neal. O’Neal ended up tackling Barkley in a park, with the two proceeding to wrestle with each other.

Tim Kiely reveals hilarious story about Shaquille O’Neal and Charles Barkley

O’Neal and Barkley once got into a fight during a 1999 NBA game between the LA Lakers and the Houston Rockets. The two have been friends ever since after their mothers forced them to bury the hatchet.

The incident then allowed them to build a friendship that eventually resulted in their time together at TNT. Kiely revealed that Barkley was working for TNT back when Shaquille O’Neal was still a player. They ran into the LA Lakers’ legend in San Antonio. O’Neal was inside a limousine and called at Barkley before tackling him

“We were in San Antonio. You were working for us. Shaq was still playing for the Lakers. You took us all out on an excursion to the Riverwalk. We were walking by a parking lot when a huge limo pulled by, and a door opens, and this voice yells, Charles Barkley.”

“I turn around and it’s Shaq. He gets out of the car and runs up and tackles you. The two of you guys wrestling in a fucking parking lot in San Antonio. When I saw that, I thought if we can get that guy on the show, we will have something special.”

Charles Barkley and Shaquille O’Neal were forced to be friends by their mothers

Barkley and O’Neal had broken into a brawl during a game back in 1999. O’Neal had initially pushed Barkley, who threw the ball at his head.

The two eventually ended up on the floor after multiple punches were exchanged. Both players were eventually ejected, with O’Neal claiming he had every intention of fighting Barkley after the game.

However, unbeknownst to either player, the two’s mothers were best friends. After the game, Shaq received a call from his mother Lucille O’Neal. Barkley’s mom, Charcey Glenn, was also on the call.

O’Neal was asked by his mom to stop fighting with Barkley. He obviously had no option but to oblige, and the two have been great friends ever since. Both the analysts are assumed 10-year contracts, with O’Neal earning $10 million a year, reportedly. The two were signed alongside Kenny Smith and Ernie Johnson and can be expected to be a part of TNT for many years to come.