Charles Barkley, a retired NBA star turned television sports analyst, boasts a net worth of $60 million. Despite his considerable wealth, Barkley has openly admitted to squandering an estimated $10-30 million through gambling over his lifetime.
Beyond his athletic career, Barkley has become a sought-after figure in the advertising world, featuring in commercials for major brands like Nike, FanDuel, T-Mobile, McDonald’s, Dick’s Sporting Goods, and Right Guard. Notably, during his prime, he famously declared in a Nike commercial, “I am not a role model.”
| Category | Richest Athletes › NBA Players |
|---|---|
| Net Worth | $60 Million |
| Salary | $10 Million |
| Birthdate | Feb 20, 1963 (61 years old) |
| Birthplace | Leeds |
| Gender | Male |
| Height | 6 ft 5 in (1.98 m) |
| Profession | Basketball player, Announcer, Athlete, Actor, Sports analyst, Author, Spokesperson |
| Nationality | United States of America |
In his post-basketball endeavors, Barkley has found success as a sports commentator, notably as one of the hosts of TNT’s widely acclaimed “Inside the NBA” show. Further details regarding his TNT contract and earnings will be explored later in this article.
TNT Contract and Salary
In 2020, Charles Barkley extended his tenure with TNT as a co-host of “Inside the NBA” with a lucrative 5-year agreement worth $30 million, equating to an annual salary of $6 million. Fast forward to October 2022, news broke that Barkley inked a substantial contract extension with TNT, securing his presence for another decade in exchange for $100 million.
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NBA Total Salary
During his playing career, Charles Barkley earned a total of $40.3 million in salary alone. His peak salary year was his final season with the Houston Rockets in 1999 when he was paid $9 million. That’s the same as around $14 million today after adjusting for inflation.
Early Life
Charles Barkley, originally named Charles Wade Barkley, entered the world on February 20, 1963, in Leeds, Alabama. Early in his life, his father left the family, leaving his mother to raise him. After his mother remarried, Charles gained two stepbrothers, but tragedy struck again when his stepfather passed away in an accident when Charles was just 11. Despite facing adversity, Barkley attended Leeds High School, where he initially didn’t make the varsity basketball team as a junior. However, his determination fueled his improvement, enabling him not only to secure a spot on the varsity team the following year but also to catch the attention of Auburn University’s head coach.
Recruited by the university, Barkley pursued a degree in business management from 1981 to 1984 while showcasing his basketball prowess for three seasons. Despite not fitting the stereotypical mold of a basketball player due to his height and weight challenges, Barkley gained fame for his electrifying dunks and impressive defensive skills. His time at Auburn garnered him numerous accolades, including being named Southeastern Conference (SEC) Player of the Year.
NBA Career
Barkley departed Auburn during his junior year, entering the NBA as the fifth pick in the 1984 draft for the Philadelphia 76ers. By the 1986-87 season, he had emerged as the team’s leader, eventually becoming its franchise player. Over his eight seasons in Philadelphia, Barkley’s prominence soared, marked by six All-Star appearances and two MVP awards. His impact extended beyond the court, as evidenced by his own signature shoe line with Nike.
In July 1992, Barkley was traded to the Phoenix Suns, where he achieved remarkable success, averaging 25.6 points and a career-best 5.1 assists per game. Immediately after the trade, he earned the MVP title, a feat accomplished by only two others in NBA history, and secured his seventh All-Star selection. Despite battling severe back pain, Barkley’s tenure in Phoenix was marked by stellar performance, including leading the team in rebounds, steals, and scoring, alongside All-NBA and All-Star honors.
In 1996, Barkley’s journey took him to the Houston Rockets, though it began with challenges, including a suspension and ongoing back issues. Despite these obstacles, he remained a vital contributor, helping the Rockets reach the NBA finals in 1997, ultimately losing to the Utah Jazz. However, persistent injuries forced Barkley to retire after the 1999-2000 season, concluding a remarkable 16-year career that earned him a well-deserved place in the Hall of Fame.
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Olympics
In 1994, Charles had the opportunity to audition for the U.S. men’s basketball team for the 1984 Summer Olympics. Although he advanced to the final stages of the trials, he ultimately did not make the team. However, he later became a pivotal member of the renowned “Dream Team” during the 1992 Olympics, alongside iconic players such as Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, Larry Bird, and Scottie Pippen, securing a gold medal for the men’s team.
Barkley distinguished himself as the top scorer of the team and set a new U.S. men’s Olympic record for the highest three-point field goal percentage at 87.5%. Known for his brash demeanor and penchant for trash-talking, Barkley’s on-court antics included intentionally elbowing an opponent during a game, which came as no surprise to fans. Continuing his success, Barkley led the team to another gold medal victory in Atlanta in 1994.
“The Dream Team” made history with its incredible roster. They were inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2010. “Sports Illustrated” called the team “arguably the most dominant squad ever assembled in any sport.” The Dream Team craze seemed to spark a worldwide and nationwide re-interest in the sport.
TV Career
Barkley has appeared as a studio analyst for TNT’s network NBA coverage since 2000. He co-hosts “Inside the NBA,” a post-game show, alongside Shaquille O’Neal, Ernie Johnson, Jr., and Kenny Smith.
As of this writing, Charles has won four Sports Emmy Awards for his work as an outstanding studio analyst. He’s also been a studio analyst for joint coverage of the NBA games for CBS. He has worked as an analyst in every Final Four broadcast since 2011. He has stated plans to retire from TV in 2023. In the fall of 2023, Barkley began hosting his own show, “King Charles,” on CNN featuring Gayle King.
Personal Life
Barkley married Maureen Blumhardt in 1989, and the two have a daughter, Christiana (b. 1989).
Barkley is a notorious gambler. He has admitted to losing roughly $10 million, potentially as much as $30 million, gambling in his lifetime, including $2.5 million lost playing blackjack in under six hours.
A former Republican, Barkley reversed his stance and declared support for Barack Obama in the 2008 presidential election. For many years, he toyed with the idea of running for Governor of Alabama as an Independent. Charles is an outspoken supporter of gay rights and has been a vocal critic of President Donald Trump.
In 2023, Barkley donated $5 million to his alma mater, Auburn University, to establish scholarships specifically for Black students.
Ever since being traded to the Phoenix Suns in 1992, Charles has kept his main residence in Scottsdale. He also maintains properties in his hometown of Leeds, Alabama, and in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
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