With Kobe thinking about retiring after this season & Barkley announcing his one foot out the door in sports broadcasting, could TNT or ESPN NBA sports analyst be the Black Mamba’s next move…further details below!
Just as IFWT brought to you, retirement has crossed Kobe Bryant’s mind HEAVILY this season, especially in light of the injuries! As articulate & intelligent Kobe is, commanding $4-$5 million per season as an analyst for ESPN or Fox Sports, changing fields would be the ULTIMATE power move! Charles Barkley current sports broadcasting contract is due to end in 2016.
via Black Sports Online:
If Charles Barkley is serious about leaving sports broadcasting when his current contract with Turner Sports expires in 2016, the truth is no one can replace Barkley, the most impactful and valuable studio analyst on sports television today. But there is a name out there who could have a Barkley-like impact on an NBA studio show or remote broadcast if he has interest in broadcasting as a post-NBA career.
His name is Kobe Bryant.
If Bryant indicates he is serious about a broadcasting career after his NBA career ends, industry sources say he’d command $4-5 million annually if not more because there would be a heavy competition for his services. ESPN (whose studio show is based in L.A.) and Turner are guaranteed to be interested.
“He’s obviously smart and articulate and he would be a great candidate,” said Turner Sports senior vice president and executive creative director Craig Barry. “But like any job there is a certain amount of passion that the person needs to have for the day to day. That element of passion and wanting to share the game is a huge part of being able to connect with the viewer. That’s a huge part of being a successful broadcaster and I think Kobe would be great at it. But he would have to want to do it.”
“If he chose to do it he’d be incredible,” said ESPN Los Angeles senior writer Ramona Shelburne, who has covered the Lakers since 2003. “He’s sarcastic, smart, insightful, fearless. Think the player version of Jeff Van Gundy.
