Charles Barkley Net Worth (Money & Salary)

What Is Charles Barkley’s Net Worth and Salary?

The net worth of Charles Barkley, a retired professional basketball player and current television sports analyst, stands at $80 million. Hosting “Inside the NBA” on TNT brings him an annual salary of $10 million. Additional details regarding his TNT salary and contracts can be found in the sections below. Over his NBA career, Charles accumulated $40 million in total salaries, roughly matching this amount through endorsements during that time. His net worth could have been substantially higher; however, he has openly admitted to gambling away an estimated $10-30 million throughout his lifetime.

Throughout and after his basketball career, Charles has been a sought-after brand ambassador, frequently featuring in advertisements for numerous leading brands. He has generated tens of millions from endorsement deals with companies such as Nike, FanDuel, T-Mobile, McDonald’s, Dick’s Sporting Goods, and Right Guard. At the height of his playing career, he starred in a famous Nike advertisement in which he famously stated: “I am not a role model.”

After retiring, Charles successfully transitioned into a sports commentary role. He co-hosts the immensely popular TNT show “Inside the NBA.” More details about his contract and salary at TNT will follow later in this article.

TNT Contract and Salary

In 2020, Charles Barkley entered into a $30 million contract for 5 years with TNT, continuing his role as co-host of “Inside the NBA,” equating to a yearly salary of $6 million. Announced in October 2022, he signed a 10-year contract extension worth $100 million to stay with TNT. In May 2024, it was disclosed that the NBA would auction its broadcast rights to a consortium excluding TNT. Following this announcement, Barkley hinted he might not return to TNT after the conclusion of the 2024-2025 season. However, he later changed his mind and, in August 2024, TNT alongside Charles revealed a new long-term agreement. It is likely that Charles and his colleagues from “Inside the NBA” will branch out to cover more sports following the 2025 season. Charles has mentioned that forgoing a new agreement with one of the networks obtaining the NBA rights past 2025 cost him approximately $100 million.

NBA Career Earnings

Throughout his playing career, Charles Barkley secured a total of $40.3 million in salary. His highest-paid year was the last season he played with the Houston Rockets in 1999, earning $9 million. This amount is roughly equivalent to around $14 million today, once adjusting for inflation.

Early Life

On February 20, 1963, Charles Wade Barkley was born in Leeds, Alabama. His father left the family when he was an infant, and his mother later remarried, giving birth to two more sons. Unfortunately, his stepfather passed away in an accident when Charles was only 11 years old. Barkley attended Leeds High School, where he faced challenges, failing to secure a spot on the varsity team at first.

basketball team during his junior year. By the following year, he had improved sufficiently not only to join the varsity team but also to catch the attention of the head coach at Auburn University. He was recruited by the university and studied business management from 1981 through 1984. For three seasons, he played college basketball at Auburn. Barkley quickly gained recognition for his impressive dunks and shot-blocking abilities. Unlike the typical basketball player, he was shorter than average and struggled with extra weight. Nevertheless, during his time at Auburn, he earned numerous accolades, including the title of Southeastern Conference (SEC) Player of the Year.

NBA Career

Leaving Auburn after his junior year, Barkley was selected as the fifth overall pick in the first round of the 1984 NBA Draft by the Philadelphia 76ers. By the 1986-87 season, he emerged as the team leader, and the subsequent season, he became the franchise player for the Sixers. Throughout his tenure with the team, he participated in six All-Star games, earning MVP honors in two of those appearances. His eight seasons in Philadelphia solidified his status as a household name, and he even launched his own line of signature shoes with Nike.

In July 1992, Charles was traded to the Phoenix Suns, where he averaged 25.6 points per game and a career-high 5.1 assists per game, leading the Suns to the best record in the NBA. Almost immediately upon his arrival, he was named Most Valuable Player, becoming just the third player in history to achieve this accolade so shortly after a trade, and qualifying for his seventh All-Star Game. Unfortunately, severe back pain limited his time with the Suns, and he declared that the 1995-96 season would be his last in Phoenix. During his time there, Barkley led the team in rebounds, steals, and scoring, receiving All-NBA and All-Star honors, and achieving a career-high of .777 in free throw shooting.

In 1996, the transition to the Houston Rockets was rocky for Charles. He faced a suspension for the season opener due to a skirmish with Charles Oakley during preseason. Battling ongoing severe back pain, he missed 14 out of 67 games, yet managed to become the team’s second-leading scorer. The Rockets concluded the season with a record of 57-25 and reached the finals, where they were defeated by the Utah Jazz. Still struggling with injuries, the 1999-2000 season marked Barkley’s final year in the NBA. He made his exit on April 19, 2000, walking off the court to a standing ovation, immediately announcing his retirement and bringing an end to his 16-year Hall of Fame career.

Olympics

Charles received an invitation to try out for the U.S. men’s basketball team for the 1984 Summer Olympics in 1994. He reached the final cuts during the trials but was ultimately not selected. However, in the 1992 Olympics, he was a member of the legendary “Dream Team,” featuring other basketball legends like Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, Larry Bird, and Scottie Pippen, where he earned a gold medal. Barkley was the highest scorer on the team and set a U.S. men’s Olympic record for the best three-point shooting percentage (87.5%). By this time, he was already known for his trash-talking and playful banter with opponents, so it came as no surprise when he intentionally elbowed another player during a game.

Once more, Barkley drove the team to Gold in Atlanta.

With an incredible roster, “The Dream Team” made history. In 2010, they were inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. “Sports Illustrated” referred to the team as “arguably the most dominant squad ever assembled in any sport.” The phenomenon surrounding The Dream Team seemingly reignited global and national passion for the sport.

TV Career

Since 2000, Barkley has served as a studio analyst for TNT’s NBA coverage. He shares hosting duties on “Inside the NBA,” a post-game show, with Shaquille O’Neal, Ernie Johnson, Jr., and Kenny Smith.

As of this writing, Charles has secured four Sports Emmy Awards for his exceptional performance as a studio analyst. Additionally, he has contributed as a studio analyst for CBS’s joint NBA game coverage. Since 2011, he has participated as an analyst in every Final Four broadcast. He has indicated plans to retire from television in 2023. In the fall of 2023, Barkley launched his own show, “King Charles,” on CNN, featuring Gayle King.

Personal Life

Barkley wed Maureen Blumhardt in 1989, and the couple welcomed a daughter, Christiana (b. 1989).

A well-known gambler, Barkley has confessed to losing around $10 million, possibly up to $30 million, through gambling over his lifetime, including a staggering $2.5 million lost playing blackjack in less than six hours.

Once a Republican, Barkley changed his views and endorsed Barack Obama during the 2008 presidential election. For years, he has considered the idea of running as an Independent for Governor of Alabama. An outspoken advocate for gay rights, Charles has also publicly criticized President Donald Trump.

In 2023, Barkley contributed $5 million to his alma mater, Auburn University, to create scholarships aimed specifically at Black students.

Real Estate

Since being traded to the Phoenix Suns in 1992, Charles has maintained his primary residence in Scottsdale. In February 1998, he acquired a magnificent estate in Scottsdale for $2.2 million. This 2.4-acre property features an expansive 9,000-square-foot resort-style mansion, which is likely valued at $6-8 million. Additionally, he owns properties in Leeds, Alabama, his hometown, and in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.