Shaquille O’Neal made a bold bet with Charles Barkley during a live episode of “Inside the NBA,” and fans are buzzing with theories about what might have motivated the challenge.
The NBA legends appeared on TNT’s live broadcast on Tuesday night as they previewed the then-undefeated Cleveland Cavaliers’ NBA Cup matchup against the reigning NBA champions, the Boston Celtics. The segment was filled with the usual banter that viewers have come to expect from Shaq, Barkley, and their co-hosts.
As they discussed the upcoming game, Shaquille O’Neal, the Los Angeles Lakers legend with an estimated net worth of $500 million, wasn’t shy about making a prediction—and turning it into a wager. With confidence, Shaq declared, “Cavs by 10.”
Charles Barkley, always ready for some on-air competition, wasted no time in responding. “Bet! Name it! How much? Two million!” he shouted.
Shaq, unfazed, quickly asked, “Cash?”
“Yes,” Barkley fired back, to which Shaq responded, “Deal.”
As the show progressed, O’Neal decided to up the ante. He pulled out stacks of cash, playfully flaunting them as he addressed Barkley. “Chuck, I can’t go two,” Shaq teased, “But I can go another number. How about three (million)?”
The bet quickly escalated into a $5 million wager, which left fans and co-hosts alike in shock. Kenny Smith, who was also on the set, chimed in to warn Barkley about Shaq’s history with paying off bets. “This dude has never paid a bet in 20 years,” Smith jokingly told Sir Charles.
As it turned out, the cash Shaq had pulled out was fake, much to the amusement of the viewers. This ended up being a lucky break for O’Neal, as the Cavaliers ultimately lost to the Celtics, 120-117. Superstar Jayson Tatum led the way for Boston, scoring 33 points and putting an end to Cleveland’s unbeaten streak.
Despite the result, Shaq wasn’t ready to admit total defeat. With his trademark humor, he insisted that after taxes, he only owed Barkley $30,000—a comical demonstration of Shaq’s unique way of calculating things.
The entertaining exchange had fans in hysterics on social media, with many sharing clips of the moment and joining in on the laughter. Some fans, however, couldn’t help but speculate about the timing and nature of the bet. They noted that “Inside the NBA” is set to move to ESPN in 2025, and some users were convinced that Shaq and Barkley’s over-the-top bet was tied to that upcoming change.
“When that ESPN check clears [laughing emoji],” one fan wrote, implying that the upcoming move had something to do with their willingness to pretend to throw around millions of dollars.
“That ESPN money,” another user commented, while a third added, “They can thank ESPN for that cash.”
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As part of the agreement for “Inside the NBA” to move to ESPN, TNT will continue to independently produce the iconic show from its Atlanta-based studios.
The 2024-25 season will mark the final year in which TNT airs the 21-time Emmy Award-winning program, which has been a staple of NBA coverage and is beloved for its candid, humorous approach.
Shaq’s contract is tied exclusively to NBA programming, and it is set to expire next July, leaving some questions about what might be next for the Hall of Famer.
Meanwhile, fans of “Inside the NBA” can still look forward to more memorable moments from Shaq, Barkley, Kenny Smith, and Ernie Johnson as they continue to bring their unique brand of entertainment to basketball fans across the nation.
For now, the fake bet might have been just another in a long line of playful moments between Shaq and Barkley—a relationship defined by their competitive spirit and mutual respect.
Whether it’s betting millions on a game or simply poking fun at each other, these two NBA icons know how to keep audiences entertained and coming back for more.
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