Reports about who's in line to purchase BET have been floating around for a while, and now TMZ reports that 50 Cent, Kenya Barris, and Shaquille O'Neal may have joined forces to potentially buy the company.

TMZ claims a source with direct knowledge of the potential deal said 50, Shaq, and Kenya were "spotted at the Paramount offices in NYC earlier this week to talk business, and the possibility of buying the network." They're reportedly looking to receive additional investment from CVC, an investment company.

The source says, "It's not a done deal, but they're deep in it."

50 Cent has already had success in television and film. Back in February, 50 and Fox Entertainment inked a non-exclusive multi-project broadcast direct deal. Under the deal, 50 will develop scripted dramas, live-action comedies and animated series that would air on FOX. Any series created under the deal will be owned by FOX Entertainment and produced by its in-house unit, FOX Entertainment Studios, in collaboration with G-Unit Film & Television.

As for Kenya, in 2021 the Hollywood Reporter shared he became an equity partner in the newly launched BET Studios along with Rashida Jones and Aaran Rahsaan Thomas. BET Studios produces series for ViacomCBS outlets including Paramount+, CBS, Showtime, Nickelodeon, BET and streaming service BET+, and looks to sell to third-party platforms as well.

In March it was reported that Diddy also was interested in purchasing BET. According to Variety, sources close to the Hip-Hop mogul said he was “exploring the opportunity to purchase BET as a part of his strategy to build a Black-owned global media powerhouse." Tyler Perry was also in the mix as a possible buyer.