<a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/charles-barkley">Sir Charles</a> isn’t looking to bounce from his NBA gig for a broadcasting role with the Saudi-backed <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/liv-golf">LIV Golf</a>.
After a very public flirtation with the well-funded and controversial golf tour, Charles Barkley <a href="https://nypost.com/2022/07/29/charles-barkley-ends-contract-flirtation-with-liv-golf/">told the New York Post</a> he won’t be defecting from TNT, where his basketball commentary is as hilarious as it is insightful.
“I want to thank <a style="font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit;" href="http://www.espn.com/golf/player/_/id/323/greg-norman">Greg Norman</a> and LIV for their interest in me,” Barkley said. “I wish those guys great success and nothing but the best. But, in my best interest, and being fair to Turner &#8212; because Turner and basketball have given me every single thing in my life &#8212; It is best for me to move on and I&#8217;m staying with Turner for the rest of my TV career.”
The 59-year-old NBA Hall of Famer told ESPN on Thursday that he had not been offered a job by Norman, the CEO of the golf tour. But he sounded interested.
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🚨NEWS: Charles Barkley tells The Post he has ended discussions with LIV and he will stay at TNT. 🚨<a href="https://t.co/iC6Ee2H5SW">https://t.co/iC6Ee2H5SW</a>
&mdash; Andrew Marchand (@AndrewMarchand) <a href="https://twitter.com/AndrewMarchand/status/1553011673065308161?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 29, 2022</a></blockquote>
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“I met with Greg and I told him yes. I&#8217;m in a win-win situation,” Barkley said Thursday. “If they offer me something good, that&#8217;s great. If they don&#8217;t, I&#8217;ve got a great job at TNT.”
Barkley was adamant that criticism of the league’s support from the Kingdom’s soverign investment fund would not keep him from bolting. Several top PGA stars, including Phil Mickelson, Dustin Johnson, Bubba Watson, Bryson DeChambeau, and others have been criticized for taking huge sums of money to play on the new tour. Tiger Woods reportedly turned down nearly $1 billion to join.
“Everybody&#8217;s making up words like ‘sportswashing’ and ‘dirty money,’” Barkley said. “I&#8217;m like, listen, if you play sports, we all take money from some sources you might not love or appreciate.&#8221;
“I don&#8217;t want to be a hypocrite,” he continued. “These guys [LIV golfers] are trying to make a living. I wish them nothing but the best. Same thing with my friends on the PGA Tour. But everybody is just kinda like trying to play the moral card.”
The LIV Golf International Series was launched this year through a $300 million investment in the Asian Tour. Earlier this week, LIV Golf rolled out plans to expand in 2023 to 14 events, with 48 golfers competing for an unprecedented $405 million in purses.
Barkley is an avid golfer and a frequent participant in pro-am tournaments, although he is better known for errant tee shots and wacky wisecracks than his prowess on the links.
Former President Donald Trump&#8217;s New Jersey golf club is currently hosting the Bedminster Invitational LIV Golf tournament, and the former president took part in Thursday&#8217;s pro-am tourney &#8211; as did Barkley
&#8220;I think LIV has been a great thing for Saudi Arabia, for the image of Saudi Arabia,&#8221; Trump told the Wall Street Journal. &#8220;I think it&#8217;s going to be an incredible investment from that standpoint, and that&#8217;s more valuable than lots of other things because you can&#8217;t buy that — even with billions of dollars.&#8221;

LIV Golf Invitational – Bedminster – Pro-Am

Charles Barkley Slams Door On New Role In Saudi-Sponsored Golf League

Charles Barkley

Golf

LIV Golf

Sports

On Wednesday night, as Golden State Warriors fans heckled him during a commercial break, NBA Hall of Famer Charles Barkley fired back a <a href="https://www.tmz.com/2022/05/19/charles-barkley-heckling-warriors-fans-f-your-mama/">pointed remark</a> about their mothers.
Barkley, 59, was sitting on a raised platform outside Chase Center with fellow “Inside the NBA” including hosts Shaquille O&#8217;Neal, Ernie Johnson, and Kenny Smith.
When the Warriors fans started chanting his name, Barkley called over, “Hey, you guys, leave me alone or I&#8217;ll come to your house and f*** your mama.”
That prompted the fans to start chanting, “Chuck, you suck!”
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During halftime of the Wednesday game, as the “Inside the NBA” team was discussing the game, the crowd started chanting, “Chuck, you suck!”
Barkley turned around and yelled back at the crowd, “Hey! You’re right! And y’all suck too!”
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Warriors crowd to Charles Barkley: &quot;CHUCK YOU SUCK! CHUCK YOU SUCK!&quot;
Barkley’s response: &quot;Hey! You&#39;re right! And Y&#39;all suck too!&quot; 😂<a href="https://t.co/TD5iblx2zT">pic.twitter.com/TD5iblx2zT</a>
&mdash; NBA Retweet (@RTNBA) <a href="https://twitter.com/RTNBA/status/1527131983662530561?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 19, 2022</a></blockquote>
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Earlier on Wednesday, Barkley told the Warriors’ Draymond Green he had strong feelings about the San Francisco area, asserting, “I don’t dislike the area; I hate the area.”
“The area hates you,” Green joked, as <a href="https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10834707/Charles-Barkley-gets-dispute-Warriors-fans-screams-Im-gonna-f-k-mama.html">The Daily Mail</a> reported.
“Barkley has been a villain in the Bay Area for the better part of two decades,” <a href="https://www.nbcsports.com/bayarea/warriors/draymond-green-takes-hilarious-shot-charles-barkley-known-warriors-villain">NBC Sports</a> noted, adding, “It began in 2007 when he dissed the city of Oakland after the Warriors upset the top-seeded Dallas Mavericks. In the early days of the Warriors&#8217; dynasty, Barkley refused to believe a core of ‘jump shooters’ like Steph Curry and Klay Thompson could bring home an NBA championship.”
After the Dallas Mavericks eliminated the Phoenix Suns, meaning they would face the Warriors and the Warriors would host the opening game, Barkley told his co-hosts, “&#8221;We are going to hell. I mean San Francisco. I hate San Francisco. You know that.”
“I hate San Francisco.  I gotta like a city because y’all like it? I’ve never had fun there,” he added.
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&quot;We are going to hell, I mean San Francisco&quot;
😭😭😭 Chuck is not a fan of the City by the Bay. <a href="https://t.co/v9HWVoHegU">pic.twitter.com/v9HWVoHegU</a>
&mdash; Jason Dumas (@JDumasReports) <a href="https://twitter.com/JDumasReports/status/1526039170119962624?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 16, 2022</a></blockquote>
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On Thursday, Green, who has won NBA championships with the Warriors, kidded Barkley about never winning a ring in his storied 16-year career. “If I win another championship, that’s one more ring added to the panel that’s not him,&#8221; he said. &#8220;I wouldn’t want to see that either. Then he really got to hear about it. I get it. I understand. I don’t know how that feels, I’ve always won.”
The other hosts on “Inside the NBA” won titles in their career. Shaquille O’Neal won four, Dwyane Wade, three, and Kenny Smith, two.
&#8220;I guess I’d feel the same way if ya’ll just keep adding rings up here and I got to just sit here when the playoffs come around,&#8221; Green quipped. &#8220;What are you going to say &#8212; you going to tell us how to win? Not taking that advice from Chuck. What’s he going to say?&#8221;
&#8220;That’s my dog, though,&#8221; Green concluded. &#8220;I love Chuck. That’s my dog.&#8221;

USA-ENTERTAINMENT-BASKET-NBA-AWARDS

‘I’ll Come To Your House And F*** Your Mama’: Charles Barkley Takes On Warriors Fans Heckling Him

Charles Barkley fires back at heckling Warriors fans

Golden State Warriors

Hecklers

Mothers

San Francisco

With a single decision, Brooklyn Nets point guard Kyrie Irving has become the most polarizing figure in sports. 
In mid-October, Irving finally ended months of speculation regarding his COVID vaccine status, telling his fans in an Instagram Live video that he was indeed unvaccinated. Irving stated that he’s against the vaccine mandates, and feels that “nobody should be forced to do anything with their bodies.” 
His decision to not receive the shot has had dire implications for the Nets and for Irving’s career. Unvaccinated home team players in New York City are not able to play indoors, causing the Nets to shelve Irving “until he is eligible to be a full participant.” 
The choice has stirred up emotions on both sides of the aisle, with more than a few questioning if he still has the desire to play the game of basketball. 
But many of his fellow athletes have been supportive, and boxer Floyd Mayweather is now showing his support for Irving’s decision. 
In a video posted to social media, Mayweather spoke to Irving, calling him a “great person, great father, great athlete.” 
“America is the land of the free: freedom of speech, freedom of religion, and supposedly freedom to choose,” Mayweather said. “Never be controlled by money. I respect you for having some integrity and being your own man. A free mind makes his own choices and a slave mind follows the crowd. Stand for something or fall for anything. One man can lead a revolution to stand up and fight for what’s right. One choice, one word, one action, can change the world. It’s crazy how people hate you for being a leader. I hope your actions encourage many others to stand up and say ‘enough is enough.’” 
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Choice is defined as an act of selecting or making a decision when faced with two or more possibilities. America gave us the choice to take the vaccine or not take the vaccine. As time moves on, that choice is gradually being stripped from us. <a href="https://t.co/7F6RsWaDkL">pic.twitter.com/7F6RsWaDkL</a>
&mdash; Floyd Mayweather (@FloydMayweather) <a href="https://twitter.com/FloydMayweather/status/1452726098878361601?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 25, 2021</a></blockquote>
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Prior to the Nets home opener on Sunday, hundreds of protestors stood outside of Barclays Arena, with some chanting “no vaccine mandate” and “stand with Kyrie.” 
The crowd reportedly grew unruly, with some protestors breaking through barricades and attempting to enter the arena, causing Barclays Center to shut their doors for a brief period of time. 
&#8220;Barclays Center briefly closed its doors today in order to clear protestors from the main doors on the plaza and ensure guests could safely enter the arena,&#8221; a spokesperson for the arena <a href="https://twitter.com/NotoriousOHM/status/1452388462162812931?s=20">said</a> in a statement. &#8220;Only ticketed guests were able to enter the building and the game proceeded according to schedule.&#8221;
While the NBA is not mandating the vaccine for players, they have strongly pushed for all players to be fully vaccinated. 
On opening night of the NBA season, “Inside the NBA” on TNT discussed the Irving situation, and commissioner Adam Silver urged Irving to get vaccinated. 
“I’d tell him to get vaccinated, first and foremost for himself and his family,” Silver <a href="https://twitter.com/BleacherReport/status/1450592688131084288?s=20">said</a>. “Next, for his teammates and his community and also for the league that I know he cares so much about.”
Silver touted the vaccination as a “miracle,” saying that Irving will need to be vaccinated in order to be an “engaged member of society.”
“Science is firmly on the side of getting vaccinated. And this is in essence, a miracle vaccine … It’s already saved tens of millions of lives. I think, at some point, for Kyrie to be an engaged member of society — putting aside this league — he needs to get vaccinated,” Silver continued. “That’s the law in New York: if you want to play in an arena, if you want to visit an arena, if you want to participate in an activity in an arena, you need to be vaccinated, and that’s where he finds himself.”
Hall of Famer Charles Barkley scolded Irving on his decision, taking umbrage with the fact that Irving would still be paid for away games while he remains unvaccinated. 
“You don’t get the vaccine for yourself, you get it for other people,” Barkley <a href="https://twitter.com/NBAonTNT/status/1450626417071308800?s=20">said</a>. “I got vaccinated. I can’t wait to get the booster. You don’t get vaccinated just for yourself. Like Adam [Silver] said, you get vaccinated for your family, first,” he added. “You get vaccinated for your teammates second.”
Barkley applauded the Brooklyn Nets organization for their approach to the situation, benching Irving until he is vaccinated. 
“I really am proud of the Nets for putting their foot down — for saying ‘no, we’re not going to deal with this half on, half off [situation],’” Barkley said. “The only thing that bugs me, he’s still going to make $17 million sitting at home.”
The Nets are off to a 2-2 start in the 2021-2022 season. 
Joe Morgan is the Sports Reporter for The Daily Wire. Most recently, Morgan covered the Clippers, Lakers, and the NBA for Sporting News. Send your sports questions to sports@dailywire.com.

Celebrities attend the Los Angeles Lakers play the Golden State Warriors during the season opener

Boxer Floyd Mayweather Supports Kyrie Irving’s Vaccine Decision: ‘Stand For Something Or Fall For Anything’

Kyrie Irving

NBA Hall-of-Famer Charles Barkley, 58, famous for not mincing words, had some strong language for athletes in the NBA and NFL regarding vaccination, acknowledging that he had been vaccinated while adding, “Everybody should be vaccinated. Period. The only people who are not vaccinated are just a**holes.”
Barkley told CNBC that sports leagues should demand that their players get vaccinated. He stated, “Can you imagine if one of these guys that are not vaccinated, if they get one of these players’ kids, wives, girlfriends, moms and dads sick and they die over some unnecessary conspiracy bulls***? I think that would be tragic.”
Likening professional athletics to a corporate job, he continued, “There’s s*** you can’t do at work and there’s s*** that have to do at work. So every workplace has rules and I think one of the rules [should be] that guys have to be vaccinated.”
“Up to <a href="https://www.nfl.com/news/number-of-nfl-players-in-vaccination-process-up-to-80">80%</a> of NFL players, <a href="https://nba.nbcsports.com/2021/07/20/michele-roberts-90-of-nba-players-vaccinated/">90%</a> of NBA players and <a href="https://www.sportsnet.ca/mlb/article/mlb-says-23-teams-reached-85-per-cent-vaccine-threshold/">85%</a> of MLB players have reportedly had at least one shot. But there have been players and coaches who have publicly refused to be vaccinated,” <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2021/07/27/charles-barkley-sports-leagues-should-force-guys-to-get-vaccinated.html?__source=iosappshare%7Ccom.apple.UIKit.activity.PostToTwitter">CNBC</a> reported, adding, “NFL’s guidelines required vaccination for all Tier 1 staff, including coaches, front-office executives, equipment managers and scouts. However, NFL players are not required to be vaccinated.”
Neither the NBA nor MLB require vaccinations of their players.
In mid-June, as <a href="https://dailywire.com/news/charles-barkley-announces-hell-be-leaving-inside-the-nba-in-two-years-blames-jackaes-trying-to-get-you-canceled/">The Daily Wire</a> reported, Charles Barkley announced he would be leaving “Inside the NBA,” where he had co-hosted for 21 years, when he turns 60, blasting the woke culture that pervaded the sports world. He <a href="https://thepostmillennial.com/basketball-legend-charles-barkley-to-exit-inside-the-nba-slams-cancel-culture-and-social-justice-warriors">told</a> Washington sports radio station <a href="https://www.audacy.com/thefandc/podcasts/grant-and-danny-817/61421-hour-2-charles-barkley-joins-grant-danny-live-458580189">106.7 The Fan</a> that his bosses were “cowards,” adding, “It’s gotten so out of hand right now, I couldn’t imagine having to watch myself. You can’t even have fun nowadays without these jackasses trying to get you canceled and things like that. … [I’m] just having fun, talking about sports. I’m trying to hang on for another couple years until I’m 60, and then they can kiss my ass. I’m only working until 60. I’ve already told them that. We can’t even have fun anymore. We’ve had fun all these years, and now all of a sudden in the last year and a half, everybody’s trying to get everybody fired, and it really sucks.&#8221;
In July 2020, speaking on a pre-game podcast on TNT, Barkley <a href="https://dailywire.com/news/watch-charles-barkley-defends-athletes-standing-up-for-anthem/">defended</a> athletes who chose not to kneel for the national anthem, asserting, “My thing is, listen, the national anthem means different things to different people. I’m glad these guys are all unified. But if people… If people don’t kneel, they’re not a bad person. I want to make that perfectly clear. I’m glad they had unity, but if we have a guy who doesn’t want to kneel ‘cause the anthem means something to him, he should not be vilified.”
Barkley is well-known for bluntly challenging the status quo; in January 2016, he <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/2960/former-nba-star-rips-espn-race-baiting-james-barrett">ripped ESPN for race-baiting</a> in the run-up to the Super Bowl, saying on &#8220;<a href="http://www.danpatrick.com/2016/01/27/charles-barkley-if-auburn-paid-cam-he-was-a-bargain/">The Dan Patrick Show</a>&#8221; that ESPN was &#8220;framing the narrative&#8221; of the game featuring Peyton Manning&#8217;s Denver Broncos and Cam Newton&#8217;s Carolina Panthers. He <a href="http://www.breitbart.com/video/2016/01/28/barkley-espn-turning-super-bowl-50-into-a-black-versus-white-race-battle/">said</a>, “ESPN has already started their crap about black versus white, good versus evil — and I know a lot of those fools over there got radio talk shows … It really annoys the hell out of me. We really just can’t appreciate the greatness of Peyton [Manning]. And, clearly, Cam is on the track to become one of the greatest players ever. You can already see them framing this narrative ‘black versus white, good versus evil.’”

NCAA Men’s Final Four – National Championship – Villanova v North Carolina

Charles Barkley: ‘Everybody Should Be Vaccinated. Period.’

COVID-19 Vaccine

After NBA legend Charles Barkley announced his future departure from “Inside the NBA,” Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy appeared to offer the outspoken host a job.
“Inside the NBA” star Charles Barkley — the face of the show for the past 21 years — announced on Washington sports radio station 106.7 The Fan he will be leaving the show when he turns 60, calling his bosses “<a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/charles-barkley-blasts-cancel-culture-in-sports-analysis-says-bosses-are-cowards">cowards</a>” for bowing down to the woke culture. 
“It’s gotten so out of hand right now, I couldn’t imagine having to watch myself. You can’t even have fun nowadays without these jackasses trying to get you canceled and things like that,” Barkley said.
As <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/charles-barkley-announces-hell-be-leaving-inside-the-nba-in-two-years-blames-jackaes-trying-to-get-you-canceled">The Daily Wire</a> reported, “Barkley says that he’ll be a part of the show for the next two years before calling it quits, though it’s yet to be seen if he’ll last that long considering his comments regarding his bosses at TNT.”
“[I’m] just having fun, talking about sports,” Barkley <a href="https://thepostmillennial.com/basketball-legend-charles-barkley-to-exit-inside-the-nba-slams-cancel-culture-and-social-justice-warriors">said</a>. “I’m trying to hang on for another couple years until I’m 60, and then they can kiss my ass. I’m only working until 60. I’ve already told them that. We can’t even have fun anymore. We’ve had fun all these years, and now all of a sudden in the last year and a half, everybody’s trying to get everybody fired, and it really sucks.”
In an apparent reaction to the news, Portnoy tweeted, “Hey [Charles Barkley] I suddenly have 60 million laying around.”
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Hey <a href="https://twitter.com/charlesbarkley?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@charlesbarkley</a> I suddenly have 60 million laying around 📞
&mdash; Dave Portnoy (@stoolpresidente) <a href="https://twitter.com/stoolpresidente/status/1405168505360732162?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 16, 2021</a></blockquote>
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Minutes beforehand, Portnoy tweeted, “I pledge that if Charles Barkley works for me he can call the women of San Antonio fat and gross as much as he wants.”
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I pledge that if Charles Barkley works for me he can call the women of San Antonio fat and gross as much as he wants
&mdash; Dave Portnoy (@stoolpresidente) <a href="https://twitter.com/stoolpresidente/status/1405167467777904647?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 16, 2021</a></blockquote>
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Portnoy’s reference to San Antonio was in regards to Barkley’s most famous running joke, which pokes fun at the city of San Antonio, and specifically the women who live there.
Barkley told 106.7 The Fan that TNT won’t let him use the joke anymore, putting an end to one of the most well-known segments of the show. 
“If you crack a joke the wrong way,” Barkley <a href="https://www.si.com/extra-mustard/2021/06/15/charles-barkley-cant-do-his-big-women-of-san-antonio-bit-anymore">said</a>, “they’re like, ‘Oh, no, no, no, you crossed the line.’ I mean, they won’t even let me talk about San Antonio anymore when I’m always talking about their big ole women down in San Antonio. They’re like, ‘Charles, we got one lady [who] wrote an article.’ I’m like, ‘First of all, I didn’t call anybody personally fat in San Antonio; I was just joking around. … We’ve been having fun with this for probably 10–15 years. We go to San Antonio; the people are having a blast with it. The people in San Antonio had T-shirts made up.”
<a href="https://www.barstoolsports.com/blog/3369043/the-end-of-an-era-charles-barkley-officially-no-longer-allowed-to-joke-about-the-big-ole-women-of-san-antonio">Barstool Sports</a> reported on the events with the headline, “The End Of An Era: Charles Barkley Officially No Longer Allowed To Joke About The &#8216;Big Ole Women&#8217; Of San Antonio.”
An article on <a href="https://www.mysanantonio.com/news/local/article/Charles-Barkley-fat-shaming-san-antonio-15927782.php">My San Antonio</a> slammed Barkley for his long-running joke, with Madalyn Mendoza writing, &#8220;Years later, Charles Barkley is still fat-shaming San Antonio women on national TV.&#8221;
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Dave Portnoy & Charles Barkley

‘Charles Barkley…Can Call The Women Of San Antonio Fat And Gross As Much As He Wants.’ Dave Portnoy Seems To Offer NBA Legend A Job

Barstool Sports

Dave Portnoy

You can say goodbye to the greatest NBA studio show of all time, and make sure to thank cancel culture for it. 
“Inside the NBA” star Charles Barkley — the face of the show for the past 21 years — announced on Washington sports radio station <a href="https://www.audacy.com/thefandc/podcasts/grant-and-danny-817/61421-hour-2-charles-barkley-joins-grant-danny-live-458580189">106.7 The Fan</a> he will be leaving the show when he turns 60, calling his bosses “<a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/charles-barkley-blasts-cancel-culture-in-sports-analysis-says-bosses-are-cowards">cowards</a>” for bowing down to the woke culture. 
“It’s gotten so out of hand right now, I couldn’t imagine having to watch myself. You can’t even have fun nowadays without these jackasses trying to get you canceled and things like that.”
Barkley says that he’ll be a part of the show for the next two years before calling it quits, though it’s yet to be seen if he’ll last that long considering his comments regarding his bosses at TNT. 
&#8220;[I’m] just having fun, talking about sports,” Barkley <a href="https://thepostmillennial.com/basketball-legend-charles-barkley-to-exit-inside-the-nba-slams-cancel-culture-and-social-justice-warriors">said</a>. “I’m trying to hang on for another couple years until I’m 60, and then they can kiss my ass. I’m only working until 60. I’ve already told them that. We can’t even have fun anymore. We’ve had fun all these years, and now all of a sudden in the last year and a half, everybody’s trying to get everybody fired, and it really sucks.&#8221;
Cancel culture has come for everyone over the past year, causing anyone in the spotlight to be mindful of their words. Barkley, who has made a living with his hot takes and irreverent humor, said the conversations behind the scenes are now about making sure not to offend anymore. 
&#8220;All we ever talk about behind the scenes now is, &#8216;Yo man, be careful going in this direction.&#8217; We can’t even have fun anymore,&#8221; Barkley said. &#8220;A lot of our bosses are cowards.&#8221;
One of the best parts of &#8220;Inside the NBA&#8221; has long been the running arguments between the four stars of the show. Barkley — often the butt of jokes — says that disagreement is no longer acceptable in today&#8217;s world.
“One of my favorite phrases is ‘We agree to disagree.’ I’m not mad, I don’t want you to be mad&#8221;, Barkley said. &#8220;We just disagree. But unfortunately — it’s been happening for a couple of years — if people disagree with you, they’re going to get fired. They’re coming for your head.” 
Barkley’s most famous running joke is about the city of San Antonio and the women that live there. It’s always been known to be a joke, with residents in San Antonio getting in on it as well. 
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Barkley told 106.7 The Fan that TNT won’t let him use the joke anymore, putting an end to one of the best segments of the show. 
“If you crack a joke the wrong way,” Barkley <a href="https://www.si.com/extra-mustard/2021/06/15/charles-barkley-cant-do-his-big-women-of-san-antonio-bit-anymore">said</a>, “they’re like, ‘Oh, no, no, no, you crossed the line.’ I mean, they won’t even let me talk about San Antonio anymore when I’m always talking about their big ole women down in San Antonio. They’re like, ‘Charles, we got one lady [who] wrote an article.’ “I’m like, &#8216;First of all, I didn’t call anybody personally fat in San Antonio; I was just joking around. … We’ve been having fun with this for probably 10–15 years. We go to San Antonio; the people are having a blast with it. The people in San Antonio had T-shirts made up.”
Barkley has never been one to “stick to sports,” often injecting himself into the world of politics, usually slamming people on both sides of the aisle. During the Final Four in April, Barkley made headlines with his comments on politicians and how they intentionally fuel racial divides. 
“Man, I think most white people and black people are great people. I really believe that in my heart,” he <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/democrats-need-to-get-off-their-a-and-both-parties-suck-charles-barkleys-history-of-slamming-politicians">said</a>. “But I think our system is set up where our politicians, whether they’re Republicans or Democrats, are designed to make us not like each other, so they can keep their grasp [on] money and power. They divide and conquer. I truly believe in my heart most white people and black people are awesome people. But we are so stupid following our politicians, whether they are Republicans or Democrats, and their only job is, ‘Hey, let’s make these people not like each other. We don’t live in their neighborhoods. [We’ve] all got money. Let’s make the whites and blacks not like each other; let’s make rich people and poor people not like each other; let’s scramble the middle class.&#8217;”
Barkley’s departure leaves a gaping hole for TNT and “Inside the NBA” to fill, who will have to find another talent to fit next to Kenny “The Jet &#8221; Smith and Shaquille O’Neal. For the loyal viewers of the show, Barkley has always been the main reason to tune in. Though his basketball analysis can often be shoddy, his clever way of making the game fun has always been a reason to watch. 
Related: <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/charles-barkley-is-right-super-teams-arent-any-fun">Charles Barkley Is Right: Super Teams Aren&#8217;t Any Fun</a>
Joe Morgan is the Sports Reporter for The Daily Wire. Most recently, Morgan covered the Clippers, Lakers, and the NBA for Sporting News. Send your sports questions to sports@dailywire.com.

2019 NBA Awards Presented By Kia On TNT – Red Carpet

Charles Barkley Announces Departure From NBA Show, Blasts ‘Jacka**es Trying To Get You Canceled’ On The Way Out

Cancel Culture

NBA Hall of Fame member Charles Barkley slammed cancel culture’s invasion of sports and the role of analyzing the game, during an <a href="https://www.audacy.com/thefandc/podcasts/grant-and-danny-817/61421-hour-2-charles-barkley-joins-grant-danny-live-458580189">interview</a> with 106.7 The Fan&#8217;s &#8220;Grant and Danny.”
Barkley, a sports analyst for TNT, said he is lucky to have a job that pays him to watch basketball but criticized some people who seem to take the job too seriously, saying, “the [politically correct] people are out overboard right now.”
”You can&#8217;t even have fun nowadays without these jackasses trying to get you canceled and things like that,&#8221; Barkley said, per <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/media/charles-barkley-blasts-tnt-bosses-over-cancel-culture-you-cant-even-have-fun-nowadays">Fox News</a>. &#8220;Just having fun, talking about sports. I&#8217;m trying to hang on for another couple years until I&#8217;m 60, and then they can kiss my a**. I&#8217;m only working until 60. I&#8217;ve already told them that.&#8221;  
&#8220;We can&#8217;t even have fun anymore. We&#8217;ve had fun all these years, and now all of a sudden in the last year and a half, everybody&#8217;s trying to get everybody fired, and it really sucks,&#8221; he added.
He said that he can’t imagine being on a radio show every day in a world where people aren’t allowed to discuss certain subjects. Barkley said one of his favorite phrases is “we agree to disagree,” but unfortunately, he said, things have changed.
&#8220;They&#8217;re coming for your head, and a lot of our bosses are cowards,&#8221; he said. &#8220;I said, &#8216;Context matters.&#8217; They&#8217;re like, &#8216;Context doesn&#8217;t matter.&#8217; I said, &#8216;That&#8217;s total BS. Context always has to matter.&#8217; But now, if you crack a joke the wrong way, they&#8217;re like, &#8216;Oh, no, no, no, no. You crossed a line.’&#8221;
He added that he joked about the size of women in San Antonio, but after one person wrote an article about it, he is no longer allowed to discuss it. 
Barkley noted that the show usually goes late into the night, adding that it’s difficult to talk about a game that isn’t going well at a certain point. 
&#8220;Nobody’s watching this game. Our relatives (are) not even watching this show after this,&#8221; he said. &#8220;And then, so about 1 o’clock, you’re like, ‘Man, I’m going to say something just to have some fun.’ But like I said, now you really have to think about all the fun stuff you used to say.”
Barkley wasn’t specific about the bosses to whom he was referring. As reported by Fox News, however, “in addition to serving as president of liberal network CNN, Jeff Zucker also serves as Chairman of Warner Media News and Sports, which oversees Turner Sports and includes TNT&#8217;s NBA coverage.”
Comedian and actor Kevin Hart <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/kevin-hart-discusses-cancel-culture-when-did-we-get-to-a-point-where-life-was-supposed-to-be-perfect">recently made a similar point to Barkley</a>, discussed “cancel culture” after he ended his hosting gig for the 2019 Academy Awards over previous tweets and jokes deemed offensive by the “woke.”
“If people want to pull up stuff, go back to the same tweets of old, go ahead,” he said. “There is nothing I can do. You’re looking at a younger version of myself. A comedian trying to be funny and, at that attempt, failing. Apologies were made. I understand now how it comes off. I look back and cringe. So it’s growth. It’s about growth.”  
“When did we get to a point where life was supposed to be perfect? Where people were supposed to operate perfectly all the time? I don’t understand,” he continued. “I don’t expect perfection from my kids. I don’t expect it from my wife, friends, employees. Because, last I checked, the only way you grow up is from f***ing up. I don’t know a kid who hasn’t f***ed up or done some dumb sh**.”

6C2F83A3-EB62-4E22-8B43-244508A314FB_1_201_a

Charles Barkley Blasts Cancel Culture In Sports Analysis, Says ‘Bosses’ Are ‘Cowards’

Last week NBA legend Charles Barkley cracked a joke about the women in Georgia, saying the University of Georgia&#8217;s mascot is named &#8220;after the women down there.&#8221;
Barkley made the comment while he was offering his analysis on TNT during the NBA&#8217;s Dallas Mavericks/Los Angeles Lakers game.
The retired NBA star was met with some soft scolding, but also laughter from other men commentating on the game.
After Barkley was asked which college Laker guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope attended, he said, &#8220;Georgia, the only school in the world they named their mascot after the women down there.&#8221;
&#8220;So totally uncalled for,&#8221; said co-host Ernie Johnson. &#8220;Not even gonna dignify that with a response.&#8221;
As Fox News <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/sports/charles-barkley-georgia-bulldogs-named-mascot-women">noted</a>, Barkley came under fire in 2012 when he criticized the physical appearance of women in San Antonio, Texas.
&#8220;Some big ol’ women down there … that’s a gold mine for Weight Watchers,&#8221; Barkley cracked, according to <a href="https://www.foxsports.com.au/basketball/nba/charles-barkley-under-fire-for-comparing-women-to-bulldogs/news-story/bccb21e0bfc3d5c73d4a5b81fef96769" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Fox Sports</a>.
&#8220;Victoria is definitely a secret [in San Antonio] … they can’t wear no Victoria’s Secret down there,&#8221; he continued. &#8220;They wear bloomers down there … ain’t nothing skimpy down there.&#8221;
Barkley, never one to be politically correct, has made headlines in the past for challenging the Democratic narrative when it concerns race relations.
Earlier this month, Barkley blasted politicians for fueling racial divides in our nation, adding that the “system” is designed to foment hate and “scramble the middle class.”
“Man, I think most white people and black people are great people,” Barkley said on CBS airwaves, <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/charles-barkley-politicians-fuel-hatred-between-whites-and-blacks-to-keep-their-grasp-on-money-and-power">The Daily Wire</a> reported. “I really believe that in my heart.”
“But I think our system is set up where our politicians, whether they’re Republicans or Democrats, are designed to make us not like each other, so they can keep their grasp [on] money and power,” he continued.
“They divide and conquer,” Barkley asserted.
“I truly believe in my heart most white people and black people are awesome people,” he added. “But we are so stupid following our politicians, whether they are Republicans or Democrats, and their only job is, ‘Hey, let’s make these people not like each other. We don’t live in their neighborhoods. [We’ve] all got money. Let’s make the whites and blacks not like each other; let’s make rich people and poor people not like each other; let’s scramble the middle class.’ &#8230; I truly believe that in my heart.&#8221;
Moreover, back in September, Barkley pushed back on the Black Lives Matter narrative surrounding the death of Breonna Taylor.
“It’s bad the young lady lost her life, but, you know, we do have to take into account that her boyfriend did shoot at the cops and shot a cop,” Barkley said, according to <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/charles-barkley-shaquille-oneal-push-back-on-narratives-in-breonna-taylor-case">The Daily Wire</a>. “So, like I said, even though I’m really sorry she lost her life, I don’t think that we can just say we can put this in the same situation with George Floyd and Ahmaud Arbery, I just don’t believe that.”
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
Charles Barkley “Georgia the only school in the world that they named their mascot after the women down there” 
 <a href="https://t.co/eAJBRhlSHO">pic.twitter.com/eAJBRhlSHO</a>
&mdash; gifdsports (@gifdsports) <a href="https://twitter.com/gifdsports/status/1385451029471322113?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 23, 2021</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Related: <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/charles-barkley-politicians-fuel-hatred-between-whites-and-blacks-to-keep-their-grasp-on-money-and-power">Charles Barkley: Politicians Fuel Hatred Between ‘Whites And Blacks’ To ‘Keep Their Grasp’ On ‘Money And Power’</a>

Charles Barkley Scolded For Georgia Bulldogs Comment: Mascot Named After Their Women

NBC will be hosting an hour-long vaccination special on Sunday titled “Roll Up Your Sleeves,” in a bid to raise awareness and encourage Americans to get vaccinated against COVID-19.
“Nearly 100 million people across the U.S. have already received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine — and now Michelle Obama and a few famous friends will do their part to encourage the rest of the country to get their shots,” reported NBC’s <a href="https://www.today.com/popculture/roll-your-sleeves-nbc-special-include-michelle-obama-matthew-mcconaughey-t213798">&#8220;Today&#8221;</a> show.
Presented by Walgreens, the special will feature former first lady Michelle Obama, Oscar-winning actor Matthew McConaughey, and “Hamilton” creator Lin-Manuel Miranda.
“Dr. Anthony Fauci, Director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases and Chief Medical Adviser to the President, will be interviewed by Matthew McConaughey. Viewers will hear from Dr. Fauci on separating fact from fiction about the vaccines and urging all Americans to do their part in getting the vaccine when eligible,” according to a <a href="https://news.walgreens.com/covid-19/press-releases-1/michelle-obama-dr-anthony-fauci-lin-manuel-miranda-and-matthew-mcconaughey-to-appear-on-nbcs-roll-up-your-sleeves-vaccination-special-produced-by-attn-airing-sunday-april-18.htm">press release</a> from Walgreens.
“Audiences will be treated to comedy acts, informative packages, captivating real-life stories and heartwarming surprises,” the press release added.
According to Deadline, the vaccination special will be hosted by NFL star Russel Wilson and musician Ciara, who are married to one another. Jennifer Lopez, Shaquille O’Neal, Charles Barkley, and Billy Crystal will also be featured.
“The ability to get people back to work and kids back in school, getting us reunited with family and friends and attending concerts, sporting events and many other activities we hold dear is contingent upon people getting vaccinated,” said Matthew Segal, the Co-Founder of ATTN:, the organization that created this event. “At ATTN: we believe in the power of entertainment to inform audiences, and we’re thrilled to partner with NBC, Civic Nation, Walgreens and many great public figures and performers to get out this critical message.”
Roz Brewer, CEO of Walgreens Boots Alliance, said that “trusted voices” could help “dispel myths surrounding vaccinations.”
“Bringing together trusted voices, including celebrities, community leaders and our pharmacists, we can help answer questions and dispel myths surrounding vaccinations and ensure that the U.S. emerges from this very challenging time as quickly as possible,” <a href="https://www.broadway.com/buzz/200586/lin-manuel-miranda-dr-anthony-fauci-more-set-for-nbcs-roll-up-your-sleeves-vaccination-special/">said</a> Brewer.
The hour-long special is executive produced by Tom Werner, Valerie Jarrett, Matthew Segal, Jarrett Moreno, Taye Shuayb, Jessie Surovell, Mike Vainisi, Audrey Morrissey, Ivan Dudynsky, and Chad Hines.
This is not the first time celebrities have been leveraged as a trusted resource regarding the COVID-19 vaccine. 
“I’m not a doctor, but I trust science,” actor Morgan Freeman <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/morgan-freeman-if-you-trust-me-youll-get-the-vaccine">said</a> in a public service announcement he cut for Creative Coalition, a nonprofit arts advocacy group, earlier in April. “And I’m told that, for some reason, people trust me.”
“So here I am to say, I trust science and I got the vaccine,” he continued. “If you trust me, you’ll get the vaccine. In math, it’s called the distributive property. In people, it’s called taking care of one another. Get the vaccine. Help make our world a safe place for us to enjoy ourselves again. Please?”
Freeman joined a <a href="https://www.vulture.com/2021/03/celebrities-who-got-the-covid-19-vaccine.html">long list of public figures</a> who have advocated for their followers to receive one of the new COVID-19 vaccines, such as Sir Ian McKellen, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Steve Martin, Samuel L. Jackson, and Martha Stewart. Singer Dolly Parton <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OjbSWebA3Ko">changed the words</a> of her hit song “Joline” to “vaccine” to promote them to her many fans. Singer Bette Midler told Jimmy Kimmel that she would be having “tons of anonymous sex” after her two-week wait for the vaccine.

Michelle Obama

Michelle Obama, Matthew McConaughey, Fauci, And Others Team Up For NBC Vaccination Special

Anthony Fauci

Matthew McConaughey

Shaquille O'Neal

This past weekend, during the “Final Four Show,” former NBA star and “Inside the NBA” analyst Charles Barkley said that politicians intentionally fuel racial divides in order to “keep their grasp on money and power,” and that the “system” is designed to foster hatred and to “scramble the middle class.&#8221;
&#8220;Man, I think most white people and black people are great people. I really believe that in my heart,&#8221; he said. &#8220;But I think our system is set up where our politicians, whether they’re Republicans or Democrats, are designed to make us not like each other, so they can keep their grasp [on] money and power. They divide and conquer. I truly believe in my heart most white people and black people are awesome people. But we are so stupid following our politicians, whether they are Republicans or Democrats, and their only job is, &#8216;Hey, let’s make these people not like each other. We don’t live in their neighborhoods. [We’ve] all got money. Let’s make the whites and blacks not like each other; let’s make rich people and poor people not like each other; let’s scramble the middle class.'&#8221;
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
Charles Barkley said that politicians are driving racial divisions for political gain.
Fact-check: true. <a href="https://t.co/F7B4YMA5zk">pic.twitter.com/F7B4YMA5zk</a>
&mdash; Ian Haworth (@ighaworth) <a href="https://twitter.com/ighaworth/status/1378549421743468546?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 4, 2021</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
This wasn’t the first time that Barkley has offered political opinions which fly in the face of the agenda of organizations like the NBA.
Breonna Taylor
In <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/charles-barkley-shaquille-oneal-push-back-on-narratives-in-breonna-taylor-case">September 2020</a>, Barkley pushed back on the outrage racial activists had been promoting over the death of Breonna Taylor, arguing that while the case was tragic, it was not in the same category as the death of George Floyd or Ahmaud Arbery.
“It’s bad the young lady lost her life, but, you know, we do have to take into account that her boyfriend did shoot at the cops and shot a cop,” Barkley said. “So, like I said, even though I’m really sorry she lost her life, I don’t think that we can just say we can put this in the same situation with George Floyd and Ahmaud Arbery, I just don’t believe that.”
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
God bless Barkley. He also is the only NBA commentator willing to point out that Brianna Taylor’s boyfriend fired first and hit a cop before they returned fire at him. The lack of basic factual understanding in this case is staggering. <a href="https://t.co/2DFIs1XjNn">pic.twitter.com/2DFIs1XjNn</a>
&mdash; Clay Travis (@ClayTravis) <a href="https://twitter.com/ClayTravis/status/1309302297256767488?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 25, 2020</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Defund the Police
In <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/charles-barkley-blasts-fools-pushing-defund-the-police-who-are-black-people-supposed-to-call-ghostbusters">September 2020</a>, Barkley slammed the &#8220;fools on TV&#8221; promoting the &#8220;defund the police&#8221; movement, stressing that the black community needs law enforcement &#8220;when we have crime in our neighborhoods.&#8221;
“We have to really be careful on these, you know, I hear these fools on TV talking about ‘defund the police’ and things like that,” Barkley said. “We need police reform and prison reform and things like that because you know who ain’t going to defund the cops? White neighborhoods and rich neighborhoods.”
“So, that notion they keep saying that, I’m like wait a minute, we’re just going [sic], who are black people supposed to call, Ghostbusters, when we have crime in our neighborhoods?” Barkley continued. “We need police reform, but like I said, white people and especially rich white people, they’re always going to have cops. So, we need to stop that defund and abolish the cops crap.”
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
Charles Barkley says defunding police is a ridiculous idea. “Who are black people supposed to call? The Ghostbusters?” <a href="https://t.co/LlJQfLzxUq">pic.twitter.com/LlJQfLzxUq</a>
&mdash; Clay Travis (@ClayTravis) <a href="https://twitter.com/ClayTravis/status/1309301205638828033?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 25, 2020</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Democrats “Only Talk To Black People Every Four Years”
In <a href="https://www.realclearpolitics.com/video/2019/09/21/charles_barkley_democrats_only_talk_to_black_people_every_four_years.html">September 2019</a>, Charles Barkley discussed the Democratic Party’s relationship with the black community during an interview with radio host Michael Smerconish.
“We need to start holding you Democrats accountable because they’ve been taking black people’s votes, and they only talk to black people every four years. All of these politicians only talk to black people every four years because they want their vote. Oh, actually, the Republicans don’t, the Democrats do. But when they get elected, they do nothing in the four years in-between,” Barkley said.
“Both parties suck”
In <a href="https://news.yahoo.com/at-the-democratic-debate-charles-barkley-says-both-parties-suck-at-delivering-for-black-voters-000244637.html?ncid=facebook_yahoonewsf_akfmevaatca">July 2019</a>, in addition to rejecting Trump’s rhetoric, Barkley criticized the Democratic Party for taking black voters for granted.
“I think all politicians take black folks for granted. They talk to black folks every four years and that’s about it &#8230; and then do nothing about it,” Barkley told Yahoo News. “Both parties suck in that aspect.”
“It’s an economic thing &#8230; and that’s what both parties have been neglecting, especially the Democratic Party,” Barkley said. “Every black person I know has always voted Democratic and, with the exception of a few guys who can play sports, all those people are still poor.”
Democrats need to “get off their ass” and make life “better for black folks”
In <a href="https://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/364615-charles-barkley-im-so-proud-of-alabama">December 2017</a>, Barkley called out Democrats about their promises to the black community while celebrating Democrat Doug Jones’s victory in the Alabama special Senate election.
“It’s time for [Democrats] to get off their ass and start making life better for black folks and people who are poor,” Barkley said.
“All politics is rich people screwing poor people”
In March 2016, Barkley commented on the presidential race, saying that “all politics is rich people screwing poor people” and that “poor people are too stupid to know they’re just chess pieces in a game.”
“I’ve always voted Democratic. Always. I don’t know why. I’m trying to figure out exactly what they’ve done for us,” he added.
“All politics is rich people screwing poor people. Poor people are too stupid to know they’re just chess pieces in a game. All the poor white people, all the poor black people, all the Hispanics, they’re in the same boat. They’ve got no economic opportunities. They spend all their time blaming each other because rich people throw words at them like illegal immigration and racism and things like that. If poor people ever get smart, and realize: ‘We should band together, rise up, instead of fighting each other,’ we probably can make a difference,” he said later.
Related: <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/charles-barkley-politicians-fuel-hatred-between-whites-and-blacks-to-keep-their-grasp-on-money-and-power">Charles Barkley: Politicians Fuel Hatred Between ‘Whites And Blacks’ To ‘Keep Their Grasp’ On ‘Money And Power’</a>
Ian Haworth is an Editor and Writer for The Daily Wire. Follow him on Twitter at <a href="https://twitter.com/ighaworth">@ighaworth</a>.
The views expressed in this piece are the author’s own and do not necessarily represent those of The Daily Wire.
&nbsp;

Democrats Need To ‘Get Off Their A**’ And ‘Both Parties Suck’: Charles Barkley’s History Of Slamming Politicians

Democratic Party

Racism

During the “Final Four Show” on Saturday, former NBA star and “Inside the NBA” analyst Charles Barkley said that politicians intentionally fuel racial divides in order to “keep their grasp on money and power,” and that the “system” is designed to foster hatred and to “scramble the middle class.”
“Man, I think most white people and black people are great people,” Barkley said during CBS’ coverage of Saturday’s March Madness games. “I really believe that in my heart.”
Barkley then continued to argue that our political system is set up to protect the power and wealth of those in government.
“But I think our system is set up where our politicians, whether they’re Republicans or Democrats, are designed to make us not like each other, so they can keep their grasp [on] money and power,” Barkley said.
“They divide and conquer,” Barkley added, saying that people are “stupid” to follow politicians who create issues in communities they “don’t live in.”
“I truly believe in my heart most white people and black people are awesome people,” he said. “But we are so stupid following our politicians, whether they are Republicans or Democrats, and their only job is, ‘Hey, let’s make these people not like each other. We don’t live in their neighborhoods. [We’ve] all got money. Let’s make the whites and blacks not like each other; let’s make rich people and poor people not like each other; let’s scramble the middle class.’”
“I truly believe that in my heart,” Barkley concluded.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
Charles Barkley said that politicians are driving racial divisions for political gain.
Fact-check: true. <a href="https://t.co/F7B4YMA5zk">pic.twitter.com/F7B4YMA5zk</a>
&mdash; Ian Haworth (@ighaworth) <a href="https://twitter.com/ighaworth/status/1378549421743468546?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 4, 2021</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
This isn’t the first time Charles Barkley has made statements which appear to counter the political agenda of sports leagues like the NBA. In <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/charles-barkley-shaquille-oneal-push-back-on-narratives-in-breonna-taylor-case">September 2020</a>, Barkley “pushed back on a lot of the outrage that racial activists have been fomenting &#8230; over the death of Breonna Taylor, noting that the case, while tragic, did not belong in the same category as the death of George Floyd.”
“It’s bad the young lady lost her life, but, you know, we do have to take into account that her boyfriend did shoot at the cops and shot a cop,” Barkley said. “So, like I said, even though I’m really sorry she lost her life, I don’t think that we can just say we can put this in the same situation with George Floyd and Ahmaud Arbery, I just don’t believe that.”
That same month, Barkley <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/charles-barkley-blasts-fools-pushing-defund-the-police-who-are-black-people-supposed-to-call-ghostbusters">slammed</a> the “fools on TV” who were pushing the “defund the police” movement, saying that black people need police “when we have crime in our neighborhoods.”
“We have to really be careful on these, you know, I hear these fools on TV talking about ‘defund the police’ and things like that,” Barkley said. “We need police reform and prison reform and things like that because you know who ain’t going to defund the cops? White neighborhoods and rich neighborhoods.”

Charles Barkley: Politicians Fuel Hatred Between ‘Whites And Blacks’ To ‘Keep Their Grasp’ On ‘Money And Power’

Former NBA stars Charles Barkley and Shaquille O&#8217;Neal pushed back on a lot of the outrage that racial activists have been fomenting in recent days over the death of Breonna Taylor, noting that the case, while tragic, did not belong in the same category as the death of George Floyd.
&#8220;It&#8217;s bad the young lady lost her life, but, you know, we do have to take into account that her boyfriend did shoot at the cops and shot a cop,&#8221; Barkley said. &#8220;So, like I said, even though I&#8217;m really sorry she lost her life, I don&#8217;t think that we can just say we can put this in the same situation with George Floyd and Ahmaud Arbery, I just don&#8217;t believe that.&#8221;
O&#8217;Neal then <a href="https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/charles-barkley-faces-backlash-over-breonna-taylor-comments-during-nba-pregame-show">reportedly</a> jumped in and agreed with Barkley, highlighting aspects of the case from the law enforcement side of things.
&#8220;I have to agree with Charles, this one is sort of lumped in,&#8221; O&#8217;Neal said. &#8220;You have to get a warrant signed and some states do allow no-knock warrants. And everyone was asking for murder charges. When you talk about murder, you have to show intent. A homicide occurred and we&#8217;re sorry a homicide occurred. When you have a warrant signed by the judge, you are doing your job, and I would imagine that you would fire back.&#8221;
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God bless Barkley. He also is the only NBA commentator willing to point out that Brianna Taylor’s boyfriend fired first and hit a cop before they returned fire at him. The lack of basic factual understanding in this case is staggering. <a href="https://t.co/2DFIs1XjNn">pic.twitter.com/2DFIs1XjNn</a>
&mdash; Clay Travis (@ClayTravis) <a href="https://twitter.com/ClayTravis/status/1309302297256767488?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 25, 2020</a></blockquote>
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At a different point during the NBA show on TNT, Barkley also <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/charles-barkley-blasts-fools-pushing-defund-the-police-who-are-black-people-supposed-to-call-ghostbusters">railed</a> on those who were pushing the &#8220;defund the police&#8221; movement.
“We have to really be careful on these, you know, I hear these fools on TV talking about ‘defund the police’ and things like that,” Barkley <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/charles-barkley-blasts-fools-pushing-defund-the-police-who-are-black-people-supposed-to-call-ghostbusters">said</a>. “We need police reform and prison reform and things like that because you know who ain’t going to defund the cops? White neighborhoods and rich neighborhoods.”
“So, that notion they keep saying that, I’m like wait a minute, we’re just going [sic], who are black people supposed to call, Ghostbusters, when we have crime in our neighborhoods?” Barkley continued. “We need police reform, but like I said, white people and especially rich white people, they’re always going to have cops. So, we need to stop that defund and abolish the cops crap.”
As <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/charles-barkley-blasts-fools-pushing-defund-the-police-who-are-black-people-supposed-to-call-ghostbusters">noted</a> by The Daily Wire, the notion that the black community in the United States wants less policing is false.
&#8220;A Gallup poll conducted from June 23 to July 6 surveying more than 36,000 U.S. adults found that 61 percent of Black Americans said they’d like police to spend the same amount of time in their community, while 20 percent answered they’d like to see more police, totaling 81 percent. Just 19 percent of those polled said they wanted police to spend less time in their area,&#8221; Newsweek reported. &#8220;Black Americans’ responses to the question were nearly on par with the national average, in which 67 percent of all U.S. adults said they wanted police presence to remain the same and 19 percent said they wanted it to increase.&#8221;

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