Bruce Pearl is headed for the big screen! Just weeks after suddenly announcing his retirement ahead of what would have been his twelfth season with the Auburn Tigers basketball program, Pearl has taken on a new gig.
Thursday morning, The Athletic reported that Pearl will join TNT Sports as part of their basketball studio coverage alongside Jalen Rose, Jamal Mashburn and, occasionally, Chis Webber with host Adam Lefkoe.
The show will offer primarily Big 12 and Big East coverage during the season, but will also participate in TNT Sports and CBS Sports' coverage of March Madness.
“I’ve long admired and deeply respected the way TNT Sports delivers the best studio shows in the industry, along with the way they treat everyone as family, and I could not be more excited to join the amazing team they’ve assembled to cover college basketball,” Pearl said in a press release, per AL.com. “The product has never been in better shape on the court and I’m going to bring the same passion I displayed as a coach to broadcasting. I can’t wait for the start of the season.”
AL.com also reports that Pearl will continue in his role as ambassador for Auburn alongside his TV gig. This will be Pearl's second on-air job in his career after spending two years as an analyst for ESPN between roles at Tennessee and Auburn.
Pearl's first TNT appearance will take place during the Hall of Fame Series on Nov. 3 to open the 2025-26 season, featuring Florida vs. Arizona and BYU vs. Villanova. Auburn basketball, now under the direction of Steven Pearl, will also begin its season on Nov. 3 against Bethune-Cookman.