After a couple of weeks of speculation around his future, Charles Barkley confirmed recently that isn’t going anywhere. Barkley was approached by LIV Golf, who wanted him onboard in a media role and while he gave it some consideration, he revealed during a phone interview that he is staying with Turner for the rest of his TV career.
That was music to the ears of basketball fans who have loved watching the Hall of Famer on Inside the NBA over the years. Barkley is perhaps the main reason why the show has been so successful and his departure would have been a big blow. Despite that, his colleague Shaquille O’Neal recently said during an interview that he wasn’t going to try to stop Barkley from leaving, as he intended to support him regardless of his decision.
via USA Today:
Q: Your longtime “Inside the NBA” colleague Charles Barkley seriously mulled a lucrative, exclusive announcing contract with the controversial Saudi-backed LIV Golf series. Did you try to talk him out of it?
Shaq: No. Charles is a dear friend. I would’ve supported him every which way. Charles is one of those legends, like Bill Russell, that didn’t make a lot of money playing. So if a chance comes up like this at this age that’s legal – controversial but legal – you gotta look at it. If he had accepted it, I wouldn’t be mad. And if Charles had left? You’d still have me.
While there have been moments where it gets heated between them during the show, there is no doubt they share a very special bond. O’Neal just wants the best for his dear friend, which is understandable.
He also hilariously slid in that line at the end there where he said the show would be great even if Barkley had decided to leave, as he would still be on it.
