Shaquille O’Neal joked on Thursday night that he could say whatever he wanted to on TNT airwaves. “In the words of Marshawn Lynch, ‘I’m tired as s**t, America.’ We getting fired anyway, Ernie. F**k it,” the Hall of Fame center said during Inside the NBA.
“In the words of Marshawn Lynch, ‘I’m tired as shit, America.’ We getting fired anyway, Ernie. Fuck it.”
Shaq, after a race to the board. pic.twitter.com/edrV0gmEXk
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) February 14, 2025
Yet despite his sentiments, O’Neal isn’t actually going anywhere; in fact, he’s getting a massive raise. According to Front Office Sports’ Michael McCarthy, the 52-year-old NBA legend has agreed to a long-term extension with TNT, which will pay him $15 million per year. It’s worth noting that O’Neal reportedly has an agreement with Authentic Brands Group, giving the company 50 percent of his future lifetime earnings, including broadcasting deals.
The four-time NBA champion’s re-signing with TNT comes amid Inside the NBA‘s final season on the network’s airwaves. While TNT Sports will continue to produce the show, it will be leased to ESPN next season when the NBA’s new media rights deal — which doesn’t include TNT — takes effect. O’Neal’s potential departure could have left a sizable void on the Inside the NBA set, but all indications suggest that the 2000 NBA MVP will stay, alongside fellow co-host Kenny Smith.
Meanwhile, Charles Barkley has been more evasive about his future, revealing that he’s had discussions with NBC and Amazon. After initially announcing his retirement from broadcasting, the Hall of Fame power forward reaffirmed his commitment to Warner Bros. Discovery, while insisting that his contract allows him to explore options elsewhere following TNT’s loss of NBA rights.
At this point, it’s unclear whether Barkley is genuinely considering other opportunities or simply posturing for a new deal. What is certain, however, is that O’Neal will not only remain part of Inside the NBA moving forward, but will also do so as one of the highest-paid analysts in sports.
