Charles Barkley Spurns LIV, Will Stay At Turner Sports

Basketball Hall of Famer and longtime Turner Sports NBA analyst Charles Barkley (pictured above) announced on Friday morning that he'll remain at Turner and not leave to become a golf analyst for the LIV Invitational Golf Series.

Barkley told the New York Post on Friday:

"I wish those guys great success and nothing but the best. But, in my best interest, and being fair to Turner -- because Turner and basketball have given me every single thing in my life -- It is best for me to move on and I'm staying with Turner for the rest of my TV career."

Barkley met with LIV CEO Greg Norman earlier this month, but "Sir Charles" says that he never received a formal offer from LIV.

Charles is a golfing freak and because of his popularity as an analyst, he was being considered by LIV to join their broadcasting team.

After a great college career at Auburn, Barkley played 16 years in the NBA with the Philadelphia 76ers, Phoenix Suns, and the Houston Rockets.  He was named the NBA's Most Valuable Player in 1993.  And he was voted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2006.  He's also a member of the NBA's 50th and 75th Anniversary teams.

"Sir Charles" then joined Turner Sports after his career ended in 2000 to become a television analyst for TNT's "Inside The NBA".  And due to his opinionated, and many times hilarious commentary, the popularity of the show increased greatly.

The show, along with its panel of Ernie Johnson, Jr., Kenny Smith, and Shaquille O'Neal, is generally regarded as one of the best in television today.  "Inside the NBA" has won 22 Emmy awards during its tenure (through 2022).