Hall of Fame forward and current NBA analyst Charles Barkley has reportedly been in talks with LIV Golf about a potential broadcast role, and it seems those conversations have now taken the next steps.
Barkley is expected to participate in the LIV Golf Pro-Am event, which is scheduled for next week at Trump National in Bedminster, New Jersey and he is expected to receive a broadcasting offer from LIV, according to Andrew Marchand of the New York Post.
“I’m going to play in the Pro-Am,” Barkley told the New York Post.
Last week, Barkley revealed that he would be meeting with LIV about a potential opportunity to “a face of their media,” but that there was “nothing that’s imminent.”
“I’m going to meet with LIV,” Barkley said. “They called me and asked me ‘would I meet with them?’ And I said yes. Nothing that’s imminent, I actually don’t know everything they want from me, or what they technically want me to do, but you’ve got to always look at every opportunity that’s available. So the answer to your question is, 100% yes, I’m going to meet with LIV.”
The latest news that Barkley would be participating in the pro-am with a broadcasting offer to follow is an indication that those meetings have progressed. And the golf and NBA world had mixed reviews.
So @LIVGolfInv now going after broadcasters like @NBAonTNT's #CharlesBarkley & @TheHerd's @ColinCowherd !!….LOVE IT!!!
— #BigSilz (@DanSileoShow) July 21, 2022
Charles Barkley told the NY Post he will play in the Pro-Am at the LIV tournament next week in New Jersey. I am curious to see how the national sports media, overwhelmingly abhorred by the LIV tour, reacts to that.
— Jim Crandell (@JimCrandell) July 21, 2022
If something happens to Inside the NBA…I will not be well. https://t.co/E8sIqm4ZF9
— Gabe Ikard (@GabeIkard) July 21, 2022
Barkley is about to go on an all-time gambling bender. https://t.co/mlzKFFoWnu
— jon greenberg (@jon_greenberg) July 21, 2022
I'm good with Barkley doing LIV broadcasts as long as he stays with NBA on TNT https://t.co/TLCpkPTbrN
— Yianni Kourakis (@WPBF_Yianni) July 21, 2022
"Off with their heads," added the Round Mound of Rebound. https://t.co/dvukdjZVED
— Tom Watson (@tomwatson) July 21, 2022
Barkley is currently under contract with Turner as an NBA analyst for three more years and $30 million, according to Marchand. But if Barkley is to accept an offer from LIV, that would likely end Barkley’s involvement with TNT and Inside the NBA.