Tom Brady Jan 16, 2022; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady (12) celebrates after they beat the Philadelphia Eagles in a NFC Wild Card playoff football game at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Tom Brady stunned the sports world when he agreed to join Fox as their lead NFL analyst whenever he decides to retire from playing. But could a future deal with Turner Sports also be in the works?

On Wednesday night’s Inside the NBA on TNT, Charles Barkley revealed that Shaquille O’Neal was bragging about recently having dinner with Brady. And during the meal, the former Lakers superstar couldn’t help but stargaze at the Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback.

“Shaq came in the other night and said, ‘I had dinner with Tom Brady the other night.’ He came in and was like, ‘You’re right, that’s a pretty man,'” Barkley said.

“Gorgeous,” O’Neal could be heard saying in the background. “G-O-R-G-I-S, gorgeous.” O’Neal may not be the best speller, but that won’t hinder his ability to evaluate good looks.

Brady’s pretty face derailed Inside the NBA from talking basketball for a few minutes, with Barkley letting Shaq know he’s not alone, admitting to his own man crush on the 44-year-old quarterback.

“When he starts talking to me and I make eye contact, I don’t remember nothing he says after that,” Barkley said, explaining that he can’t focus on anything except for Brady’s handsome good looks when the two are having a conversation.

Friday afternoon, Brady responded to Barkley and O’Neal on Twitter, pleading with the Inside the NBA crew to let him on the show for a segment.

The ink isn’t even dry on Brady’s Fox contract and he’s already pitching to join a studio show from another network. Did Turner miss their shot at beefing up their superstar cast of Inside the NBA with Tom Brady?

Most fans and analysts expected Brady to focus on his business interests when he retires from football, never considering a career in broadcasting was in his future. But nobody anticipated a $375 million offer from Fox to come Brady’s way either. Now it’s Turner’s job to close the deal and get Brady on Inside the NBA for a segment.

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About Brandon Contes

Brandon Contes is a staff writer for Awful Announcing and The Comeback. He previously helped carve the sports vertical for Mediaite and spent more than three years with Barrett Sports Media. Send tips/comments/complaints to bcontes@thecomeback.com