TNT's Charles Barkley Jokes That He's Back On LinkedIn, Waiting On Mark Messier To Pay Back Debt

Charles Barkley sees unemployment looming, once the TNT's NBA media rights deal dries up after the 2025 season. Then, the famous "Inside the NBA" panel will be disassembled, with Barkley as one of the marquee media free agents.

Of course, it won't be hard for Barkley to find work, considering he's so entertaining.

Barkley flexed the media muscles during Monday's Stanley Cup final Game 2 broadcast, joining Steve Levy, Mark Messier and P.K. Subban.

To start, Barkley's massive frame stood out among his fellow hockey analysts.

Levy started the guest appearance by Barkley with a joke, welcoming the Suns legend as the latest NHL analyst to join their panel.

Levy shot his shot; sadly, Barkley didn't bite. The latter deflected, poking fun at his friend Mark Messier.

"Well, Mark owes me $5,000," Barkley told Levy.

Barkley shared the story of the $5,000 debt stemming from Barkley's playing days.

"He's never paid me. I took a delay of game. Messier was sitting courtside in Canada. It's a true story. I said, ‘Ref, I need to go talk to the great Mark Messier.’ He's like, 'Chuck, you're going to get a delay of game.' I don't care.

"It was the first time he'd been around in my life. He was sitting in the front row. I said, "I'll take the fine. Mark, you owe me $5,000. That was like 25 years ago."

Later on, Subban expressed the panel's interest in luring Chuck to ABC.

Barkley had fun with his uncertain future at TNT, saying he's updating his LinkedIn profile but struggling with "Work Experience" between his days in the NBA and on television, where he acts like a goof. 

(Where will Chuck end up in 2025? Send us your thoughts: alejandro.avila@outkick.com)

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