Announcement: Shaq to Rejoin TNT with Contract Exceeding $15 Million Per Year
Shaquille O'Neal has reportedly agreed to a new contract with TNT Sports, worth over $15 million annually, according to Front Office Sports on Friday.
This news ensures that the popular "Inside the NBA" crew will remain intact, despite TNT's decision to license the show to ESPN next season.
TNT was left out of the recent NBA TV rights negotiations, as NBC and Amazon joined ESPN in securing deals for broadcasting basketball games.
As a result, TNT no longer needed pregame and postgame NBA shows. In a deal with ESPN, TNT will trade "Inside the NBA" for a package of Big 12 college football and basketball games.
According to Front Office Sports, Charles Barkley and Kenny "The Jet" Smith will continue to be part of "Inside the NBA," although Barkley had received interest from NBC and Amazon.
"I am letting NBC know that I will not accept their offer," Barkley said on his podcast with co-host Ernie Johnson, who is also the anchor of "Inside the NBA." "I will also be cancelling future meetings with Amazon... My heart will always be with Turner Sports."
Barkley's current contract, signed in 2022, pays him $21 million annually.
Meanwhile, Hall of Fame center Shaquille O'Neal, known for his time with Kobe Bryant on the Lakers, was also approached by NBC and Amazon, according to CNBC.
NBC is reportedly in talks with Carmelo Anthony for a studio analyst role, and considering Reggie Miller and Jamal Crawford as color commentators, according to Front Office Sports.
