Charles Barkley talks possible CNN show amid NBA uncertainty

"NBA on TNT" star Charles Barkley has touched upon a rumored gig with CNN. 

"They are trying to pair Gayle King and me," Barkley recently told Andrew Marchand of the New York Post. "We don’t have anything set in stone. I’m only considering it because of my respect for Gayle." 

Barkley insisted a daily show featuring himself and King "is never going to happen" for multiple reasons, including his lack of interest in such a project. He did, however, say that "it would be an honor and a privilege to work with Gayle." 

Dylan Byers of Puck reported earlier this month that CNN was interested in wooing both Barkley and King and in showcasing at least one of them on "a news-oriented primetime show." King is currently a CBS personality frequently seen on the "CBS This Morning" program. According to the Barrett Sports Media website, Barkley is set to once again work Turner Sports' and CBS' coverage of the NCAA men's college basketball tournament in March. 

It was reported this past October that Barkley signed a new 10-year contract "believed to be in the range of Tony Romo’s $180 million CBS deal" with Warner Brothers Discovery, which owns TNT, TBS and CNN. Michael McCarthy of Front Office Sports noted the following month that Warner Brothers Discovery CEO David Zaslav boldly claimed the company doesn't "have to have the NBA." 

The NBA's media rights deal with Warner Brothers Discovery expires after the 2024-25 season. Marchand reports Barkley could become a free agent if the company doesn't sign a new contract with the Association, but the Hall of Famer suggested he'd consider remaining loyal if CNN made a solid offer. 

"I just want to help the company because obviously, it is a s--- show right now," Barkley told Marchand. "Anything I can do to help." 

Marchand added that any show starring Barkley and/or King, who are friends, likely wouldn't start before some point in the fall at the earliest.