Tiki Contemplates Retirement

BIG_DADDY · 10-19-2006, 12:23 PM

http://sports.iwon.com/news/10182006/v9004.html

Tiki Barber Won't Earn as Much in TV as on the Playing Field
Oct 18, 8:08 PM (ET) Email this Story

By TOM CANAVAN
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) -Walking away from the never-ending pain of professional football after this season for a career in front of a television camera might save Tiki Barber's body. It also would likely mean a significant pay cut for the popular New York Giants running back.

The 31-year-old Barber, who leads the NFL in rushing with 533 yards, created a stir over the past two days by saying he is leaning toward retiring after this season.

"I've been considering it for a few years now," Barber said in a telephone interview Wednesday. "It comes a point where your body just doesn't want to take it any more, you see other opportunities out there. I'm excited about the rest of my life as well as I am about this football season. So we'll see what happens."

Barber would be leaving a lot on the table - $8.3 million - the amount he would earn over the final two years of his contract.

At training camp in July, Barber spoke about the possibility of retiring, saying he was interested in working in television, writing books and getting involved in the financial field.

He seemed to leave the door wide open for a return next season, however. He closed it a lot the past two days.

Mark Lepselter, Barber's agent, said that the 10-year veteran has been "beaten up" this past season and gotten "bored of the monotony of the NFL."

Lepselter has been talking to broadcast networks about his client's future for a while, adding that Barber plans on being involved in both news and sports. He believes Barber will match his current salary, although industry observers disagree.

Barber has worked on several television shows, including "Fox & Friends" on Fox News.

Fox Sports President Ed Goren said a lot of networks will be interested in hiring Barber.

"There are two things about Tiki," Goren said. "He is TV savvy, and he is already experienced. His interests are so broad when it comes time to start a second career, the TV career will be more than sports."

Barber and his brother Ronde already have a weekly radio show on Sirius, "The Barber Shop."

George Gardner, director of strategic communications for the Center for the Study of Sport in Society at Northeastern University, said Barber is an ideal prospect for a television slot.

"He (Barber) is one of those unique packages," Gardner said. "He is popular, articulate, credible, well-liked and one of those all-time good guys. He is very marketable in New York right now."

However, Gardner doubted Barber would make half as much as he is getting paid to carry the ball. He noted that a television sports analyst on a national level might start at around $750,000.

Richard Liebner, the N.S. Bienstock Inc. agent who represented CBS anchor Dan Rather, agreed with that assessment.

"He has all the potential in the world to be a successful broadcaster," Liebner said in a telephone call from his New York office. "They are not going to pay him $4 million. That's a lot of money. We don't know how much he'll earn. He has so much style and he is so well spoken."

Sports economist Andrew Zimbalist of Smith College in Northampton, Mass., believes Barber will be successful in any television field, whether as talk show host or a sports analyst.

"He'll be able to parlay this into anywhere from $1 million to $10 million a year, but I think it will be closer to $1 million," Zimbalist said in a telephone interview.

Brian Socolow, a sports attorney at Loeb & Loeb law firm in New York City, said there are economic pros and cons to Barber retiring after this season.

"The risk that he runs is that he might not have the same national exposure that he gets on a weekly basis playing for the New York Giants," said Socolow, whose firm represents athletes such as Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Michelle Kwan. "However, he has done well on other platforms and that could lead to new opportunities beyond the media."

Socolow said that if Barber got involved in Hollywood and business he could earn more than $4 million annually.

Barber did not know if anything would change his mind about retiring.

"I think the biggest thing is, and I recognize this, most players get kicked out of the NFL," Barber said. "They don't go out on their own terms. Being someone who takes a lot of pride in what I do, I kind of want to go out on my own terms."

**Donger** · 10-19-2006, 12:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BIG_DADDY

"He has all the potential in the world to be a successful broadcaster," Liebner said in a telephone call from his New York office. "They are not going to pay him $4 million. That's a lot of money. We don't know how much he'll earn. He has so much style and he is so well spoken."

You know, I would have bet anything that this phrase was going to be uttered in this article.

BIG_DADDY · 10-19-2006, 12:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Donger

You know, I would have bet anything that this phrase was going to be uttered in this article.

He will do well as an announcer. I was just surprised to hear he had been thinking about retirement for awhile now.

**KcMizzou** · 10-19-2006, 12:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BIG_DADDY

He will do well as an announcer. I was just surprised to hear he had been thinking about retirement for awhile now.

Me too. The guy really seems to be at the top of his game still...

At least he's not going the Favre route.

**noa** · 10-19-2006, 12:38 PM

I guess he fiugred after last years game against he Chiefs, it wasn't going to get any better.

**KcMizzou** · 10-19-2006, 12:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by noa949

I guess he fiugred after last years game against he Chiefs, it wasn't going to get any better.

Bwahahaha..... shuddup.

Ultra Peanut · 10-19-2006, 02:19 PM

I could definitely see Tiki on TV. Marshall Faulk wins the award for "Most obvious broadcasting career," though.

**cdcox** · 10-19-2006, 02:45 PM

He took a lot of hits on that one TD run last year against KC. Those add up.

Thig Lyfe · 10-19-2006, 02:57 PM

Tiki would be good in any position in broadcasting. I say fire Charlie Gibson and give Tiki World News Tonight.

big nasty kcnut · 10-19-2006, 03:13 PM

I know why he retiring he get to be near those hot babes on fox news.

BIG_DADDY · 10-19-2006, 03:26 PM

It's amazing to me that someone only 31 playing a game that cool on a stage that big at the level he is making serious coin would even think about it at this point much less having thought about it the last two years.

Over-Head · 10-19-2006, 07:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BIG_DADDY

It's amazing to me that someone only 31 playing a game that cool on a stage that big at the level he is making serious coin would even think about it at this point much less having thought about it the last two years.

Running backs get pounded every damn play BD, come on now, even you know that.And think about it, he’s been getting pounded for 10 years.

10-19-2006, 12:23 PM
BIG_DADDY THE RED MENACE Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Texas Casino cash: $5018410	Tiki Contemplates Retirement http://sports.iwon.com/news/10182006/v9004.html Tiki Barber Won't Earn as Much in TV as on the Playing Field Oct 18, 8:08 PM (ET) Email this Story By TOM CANAVAN EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) -Walking away from the never-ending pain of professional football after this season for a career in front of a television camera might save Tiki Barber's body. It also would likely mean a significant pay cut for the popular New York Giants running back. The 31-year-old Barber, who leads the NFL in rushing with 533 yards, created a stir over the past two days by saying he is leaning toward retiring after this season. "I've been considering it for a few years now," Barber said in a telephone interview Wednesday. "It comes a point where your body just doesn't want to take it any more, you see other opportunities out there. I'm excited about the rest of my life as well as I am about this football season. So we'll see what happens." Barber would be leaving a lot on the table - $8.3 million - the amount he would earn over the final two years of his contract. At training camp in July, Barber spoke about the possibility of retiring, saying he was interested in working in television, writing books and getting involved in the financial field. He seemed to leave the door wide open for a return next season, however. He closed it a lot the past two days. Mark Lepselter, Barber's agent, said that the 10-year veteran has been "beaten up" this past season and gotten "bored of the monotony of the NFL." Lepselter has been talking to broadcast networks about his client's future for a while, adding that Barber plans on being involved in both news and sports. He believes Barber will match his current salary, although industry observers disagree. Barber has worked on several television shows, including "Fox & Friends" on Fox News. Fox Sports President Ed Goren said a lot of networks will be interested in hiring Barber. "There are two things about Tiki," Goren said. "He is TV savvy, and he is already experienced. His interests are so broad when it comes time to start a second career, the TV career will be more than sports." Barber and his brother Ronde already have a weekly radio show on Sirius, "The Barber Shop." George Gardner, director of strategic communications for the Center for the Study of Sport in Society at Northeastern University, said Barber is an ideal prospect for a television slot. "He (Barber) is one of those unique packages," Gardner said. "He is popular, articulate, credible, well-liked and one of those all-time good guys. He is very marketable in New York right now." However, Gardner doubted Barber would make half as much as he is getting paid to carry the ball. He noted that a television sports analyst on a national level might start at around $750,000. Richard Liebner, the N.S. Bienstock Inc. agent who represented CBS anchor Dan Rather, agreed with that assessment. "He has all the potential in the world to be a successful broadcaster," Liebner said in a telephone call from his New York office. "They are not going to pay him $4 million. That's a lot of money. We don't know how much he'll earn. He has so much style and he is so well spoken." Sports economist Andrew Zimbalist of Smith College in Northampton, Mass., believes Barber will be successful in any television field, whether as talk show host or a sports analyst. "He'll be able to parlay this into anywhere from $1 million to $10 million a year, but I think it will be closer to $1 million," Zimbalist said in a telephone interview. Brian Socolow, a sports attorney at Loeb & Loeb law firm in New York City, said there are economic pros and cons to Barber retiring after this season. "The risk that he runs is that he might not have the same national exposure that he gets on a weekly basis playing for the New York Giants," said Socolow, whose firm represents athletes such as Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Michelle Kwan. "However, he has done well on other platforms and that could lead to new opportunities beyond the media." Socolow said that if Barber got involved in Hollywood and business he could earn more than $4 million annually. Barber did not know if anything would change his mind about retiring. "I think the biggest thing is, and I recognize this, most players get kicked out of the NFL," Barber said. "They don't go out on their own terms. Being someone who takes a lot of pride in what I do, I kind of want to go out on my own terms."
Posts: 32,387

10-19-2006, 12:38 PM	#5
noa Band Join Date: Sep 2005 Casino cash: $1445453	I guess he fiugred after last years game against he Chiefs, it wasn't going to get any better. __________________ Sometimes you eat the bear and sometimes, well, he eats you.
Posts: 8,302

10-19-2006, 02:19 PM	#7
Ultra Peanut v^V^v^V^v^V^ Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Holland* Casino cash: $10005177	I could definitely see Tiki on TV. Marshall Faulk wins the award for "Most obvious broadcasting career," though. __________________
Posts: 39,518

10-19-2006, 02:45 PM	#8
cdcox www.nfl-forecast.com Join Date: Sep 2000 Casino cash: $2261769	He took a lot of hits on that one TD run last year against KC. Those add up.
Posts: 45,543

10-19-2006, 02:57 PM	#9
Thig Lyfe Banned Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Thigpen's America Casino cash: $10004900	Tiki would be good in any position in broadcasting. I say fire Charlie Gibson and give Tiki World News Tonight.
Posts: 25,680

10-19-2006, 03:13 PM	#10
big nasty kcnut The pizza king of kansas Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Somewhere in the u.s.a. Casino cash: $1470900	I know why he retiring he get to be near those hot babes on fox news. __________________ When it's grim, be the grim reaper and go get it. Adopt a chiefs Travis Kelce. You woke up the wrong mother****er!
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10-19-2006, 03:26 PM	#11
BIG_DADDY THE RED MENACE Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Texas Casino cash: $5018410	It's amazing to me that someone only 31 playing a game that cool on a stage that big at the level he is making serious coin would even think about it at this point much less having thought about it the last two years. __________________ The diabolical genius of Marxism-Socialism is that it provides the emotional and intellectual road map for autocrats to persuade millions of people to support their own enslavement to government. ~Mark Levin April 15, 2019
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