NBA legend turned TNT analyst Charles Barkley is reportedly in talks with CNN to star on a weekday show with Gayle King. King is a renowned television journalist, author and magazine editor. She is currently the co-host of the popular CBS show “CBS This Morning” as well as an editor for “O, The Oprah Magazine.”
King, 68, is said to have a net worth of $40 million, according to Celebrity Net Worth. Meanwhile, 60-year-old Barkley has a net worth of $60 million.
Warner Bros. Discovery, the parent company of TNT, TBS and CNN, recently suffered heavy losses. So the company floated the idea of teaming up Barkley and King. This comes as the company believes the show would help its ratings, according to Puck’s Dylan Byers:
“The show would see the 11-time NBA All-Star, Hall of Famer and current mega-popular TNT Inside the NBA analyst interview reporters, reporters and other guests on various topics of the day,” Byers reported. .
“The conceit is that a genuine, outspoken, and often humorous personality like Barkley might be more appealing than the traditional earnest reporter, and might be better suited to ask guests the kinds of questions that average Americans actually care about,” Byers continued. . .
However, negotiations surrounding CNN’s potential show are still in their early stages.
Charles Barkley on a potential CNN show with Gayle King
Charles Barkley recently spoke with Andrew Marchand of the New York Post about hosting a CNN show with Gayle King. Barkley noted that he was only considering the offer because of the respect he has for King.
“They’re trying to match Gayle King and me,” Barkley said.
“We have nothing set in stone. I’m only considering it because of my respect for Gayle. … It would be an honor and a privilege to work with Gayle,” Barkley continued.
Barkley then explained that he also wanted to help CNN, as the company was struggling.
“I just want to help the business because obviously it’s a shit show right now. Anything I can do to help,” Barkley said.
However, the show is not expected to be a daily show, as Barkley said “that will never happen”.
According to Marchand, if CNN reaches an agreement with Barkley and King, the show will likely air in the fall. It comes as Barkley will focus on TNT’s coverage of March Madness as well as the NBA playoffs, which begin in mid-April.
For more on Charles Barkley’s comments on hosting a possible CNN show with Gayle King, click here.