NBA Lockout: Charles Barkley May Donate TNT Salary
Charles Barkley, retired NBA player turned TNT network basketball analyst, said if the NBA season failed to take place this year – he would not keep his salary.
Barkley recently appeared on ESPN 1000 in Chicago, where he spoke about feeling uncomfortable for earning money from a season that may never take place.
"I don't think it's cool for me to take money I haven't earned," Barkley told ESPN. "My decision is either going to be defer it or give it to charity."
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Barkley predicted that the current dispute between NBA commissioner David Stern and players would prevent the entire season from taking place. The NBA analyst also said a lot of money was on the table concerning the cancellation of the season.
"The problem I have is if these guys hold out all season, it's going to be a lot of money," Barkley said. "That's why I have to make that decision. I haven't made the final decision."
Although Barkley is still undecided about his job and where his income will go this season, he is sure about agreeing with Stern concerning small-market teams.
"That's what this thing is about," Barkley told ESPN. "They're not going to let just the big markets dominate like they do in baseball."
Barkley said he also felt bad for workers who would be impacted by the lockout that is taking place.
"There are two groups I feel bad for," Barkley said. "I feel bad for the people who work for these teams, because they're going to start laying off some of these people soon. And then I feel bad for the people who work at these arenas. They're going to take the brunt of this. And that's unfortunate."
