ESPN NBC Announces Interest in Hiring Charles Barkley at TNT

ESPN and NBC have now openly stated that they want to hire Charles Barkley away from TNT.

“Yes,” Magnus replied. “Yes. That would be a perfect world, actually. Charles is a unique talent.”

Barkley has maintained he will remain with TNT despite the network losing the NBA media rights after the 2024-25 season.

“I would be lying if we said we weren’t interested in Charles,” Magnus said. “I think the whole industry is interested in Charles. He’s really so special. We’ll see.”

Magnus even gave Barkley a recruiting offer.

“I keep reassuring people that if you come to work for us, it doesn’t mean you have to work. This story starts with the idea that if you come to work for us, you also have to work 200 episodes of First recording or Stand up. The car wash, no. The car wash is for people who want their car washed.”

NBCUniversal chairman Mark Lazarus followed Magnus onstage at Tuned In and matched the candid confession. NBC will resume airing the NBA for the 25-26 season.

“If Charles were available, we would certainly like to have that conversation with him,” Lazarus told McCarthy. “We’ve known him for a long time. We’ve known him since we were around, around 2000. So we think Charles brings a great element to everything he does. He’s been a guest on our shows. If he were available, we would certainly talk to him. Unless Burke Magnus talks to him first.”