Charles Barkley has and continues to say what he wants to say when he’s calling basketball games, with Inside the NBA serving as his primary outlet to do so. Much to the delight of viewers, Barkley’s signature antics and candor remained intact while he and his colleagues spearheaded ESPN’s coverage of the NBA Finals. Considering that marked the show’s first time covering the Finals for Disney’s flagship sports network, I wondered what execs thought about the commentary. Now, one of the brand’s head honchos is sharing a great take.

Burke Magnus – ESPN’s President of Content – was instrumental in helping to broker the historic deal that landed his company the rights to Inside the NBA from TNT. During a recent interview with Front Office Sports, Magnus broke down the beloved show’s first season with the House of Mouse. The discussion – held before the conclusion of the 2026 NBA Finals – eventually moved to the wild comments Charles Barkley had made up to that point. Magnus didn’t have a problem with them, and he explained just why:

After Game 4 of the Finals, Barley went viral for bluntly stating that the San Antonio Spurs were the “dumbest basketball team in the history of civilization” after they lost a 29-point lead. The 11-time NBA All-Star’s brutally honest thoughts also extended to the various celebrities who attended the games, and he even went viral for making jokes about rapper Cardi B and her “Cardi Ds.” Some of Barkley’s colleagues also got in on the quips, with Shaquille O’Neal even referring to tennis player John McEnroe as “BlackEnroe.”

Yes, I admit those comments and more are indeed wild, but I appreciate that Magnus understands how they relate to the show’s core. While Inside may not feature as much analysis as its peers, it provides four stellar personalities in Barkley, Shaq, Kenny Smith and Ernie Johnson, who can serve up both insights and laughs as needed. Since Magnus and co. did a lot to acquire the long-running TNT show, I can also understand him not wanting to interfere with the formula, so to speak. Magnus also provided these thoughts:

The deal between ESPN and TNT is good for another decade, and it ensures that Inside the NBA will remain on the air for years to come. As a fan, I find that comforting since it seemed in 2024 that the show would end due to TNT losing the broadcast rights to the professional basketball league. Something that has been criticized is the somewhat inconsistent scheduling for the show this year. Thankfully, though, Magnus previously the goal was for the schedule to become more robust moving forward.

So, while basketball season has ended amid the 2026 TV schedule, Inside the NBA fans should take heart in knowing the show will return this fall. I’m certainly expecting more wild comments from Charles Barkley and co. and, quite frankly, I wouldn’t have it any other way.

New York City native Cardi B thrilled fans in attendance at the Knicks game last night with a halftime performance. Most of her short set wasn’t broadcast on ESPN, as the network showed analysis from the Inside The NBA crew, but the brief cut-in they did do ended up being the most viral moment from the entire game, as Charles Barkley’s quip about her “Cardi Ds” resulted in extended laughter and host Ernie Johnson making it clear he was not the one who said it.

The back-and-forth sequence, which also featured some comments from Shaquille O’Neal, was quickly clipped by several popular Twitter accounts, and almost immediately, it was everywhere. Some users shared it because they enjoyed the comments. Some users shared it because they couldn’t believe he said it, and some users shared it because they wanted to talk about Cardi B’s fantastic outfit. You can watch the unhinged moment below…

Inside The NBA has been, by a very wide margin, the most talked about studio show in sports for decades. A typical episode features moderator Ernie Johnson, along with Barkley, Shaq and Kenny Smith. The runtime varies depending on the game and what they’re doing, but a typical episode would see them go on at halftime for a brief segment and then go on again after the game to provide post-game analysis. Sometimes they’re also joined by other NBA legends who might come on as special guests or even current players who might stop by for an interview.

The analysis is always strong, as Barkley, Shaq and Kenny are all highly regarded former NBA players with thoughtful things to say, but the real reason the show has been on the air for decades is because the guys have fantastic chemistry and never pull any punches. Barkley and Shaq especially are willing to say whatever pops in their heads. Usually that results in them dunking on players for bonehead plays and mistakes they made during the game (or entire teams), but like we saw last night, it also sometimes results in them dunking on each other or going way off topic (like when they got family photos done).

There was great concern across the sports world last year that Inside The NBA was going to say its final goodbye. TNT, the show’s longtime home, lost the rights to broadcast NBA games, but after a national outcry, ESPN decided to pick the entire crew up and use them for their broadcast team. There was some grumbling about the network cutting back their schedule and some initial concerns about whether the team would be muzzled, but as this entire exchange about Cardi B illustrates, ESPN has mostly just let them do their thing.

As for Cardi B herself, she was clearly amused by the entire thing. She retweeted a video of Barkley’s comments, as well as a screenshot of her trending on social media during the game. She also posted pictures in courtside seats with her son, who seemed to be having a great time.

They were joined by an arsenal of celebrities including President Trump, Ben Stiller, Tina Fey, Tracy Morgan, Spike Lee, Fat Joe, Timothée Chalamet, John McEnroe, Mariska Hargitay and many more. They were all hoping to see the Knicks get one step closer to their first NBA Championship in over fifty years. The team wound up losing a close game, but they still hold a 2-1 lead over the San Antonio Spurs. Game 4 is on Wednesday night and will offer Barkley and company some more time with a live microphone to say whatever they want to say.

Charles Barkley, Ernie Johnson and their co-hosts at Inside the NBA are definitely sports TV staples at this point and for good reason. Thanks in part to Barkley and Shaquille O’Neal’s antics, those wild on-screen graphics made by the production team and much more, the show has endeared itself to audiences (and picked up some Emmy Awards as well). There are those who’ve criticized the program, however, and argued that it offers no true substantial analysis. Barkley is now addressing that claim, and he makes fair points.

I’d argue that hijinks that ensue on Inside the NBA do indeed tend to overshadow the sports conversations Sure, I can remember some conversations the team has had about my Boston Celtics, but Barkley’s rant about Galveston, Texas’ water, Shaq’s infamous money lesson and other viral clips are among some of the first details that come to mind for me when I think about the show. Based on comments Barkley recently shared, it feels like he doesn’t mind viewers tuning in for funny moments as opposed to constant news reporting:

Please don’t misunderstand me, as I do indeed appreciate strong reporting and detailed analysis from sports talk shows, as plenty of excellent hosts have great ways of sharing facts and informing the public as a result. However, as “Sir Charles” alludes to during his interview with SI Media With Jimmy Traina, that’s not the main function of Inside. The series is meant to entertain, and such energy is certainly necessary for a show that airs so late into the night.

What’s also worth mentioning is that Inside the NBA’s hosts also do discuss breaking news and provide genuine opinions on games, player development and more. I’d actually argue that Shaq, Barkley and Kenny Smith provide some keen thoughts, given their experiences as former players. I may not agree with everything they say (and I don’t) but, most of the time, I find myself appreciating their insight.

The hosts and their colleagues have sought to keep the show intact since it moved to ESPN last fall as part of an unprecedented deal with TNT. Barkley previously admitted that he “complained” to his new employers about the series being on the air less frequently this season. (Even Smith called him out on air for that.) However, the former Phoenix Sun has also praised Disney’s flagship sports network and, while talking to SI, he said they’d been “amazing to work with.”

Inside’s future seems bright, as the show is set to air for the next decade as part of the deal that was struck. Given Barkley’s past talk of retirement, I’m not sure he’ll still be at the desk by the time the deal is up. Nevertheless, I’m happy that he and his colleagues are on TV now, not to simply provide their opinions on the news of the day but to also inject some lighthearted fun into the proceedings.

This year also marks the first time Inside the NBA has been providing pregame, halftime and postgame coverage of the 2026 NBA Finals. The championship series between the New York Knicks and San Antonio Spurs continues with Game 3 on Monday, June 8 at 8:30 p.m. ET on ABC amid the 2026 TV schedule. Be sure to tune in, as Charles Barkley and co. have really been bringing the energy (and some nuanced commentary).

Shaquille O’Neal and Charles Barkley have been friends for years now and, with that, the two basketball legends having a bit of fun with each other every now and then. That fun usually manifests itself through trolling and practical jokes and, like so many people, I find it very entertaining. While most of their antics unfold on Inside the NBA (on which they’re both co-hosts), there are instances in which their faux feud spills into other occasions. For instance, O’Neal just straight-up trolled Barkley while accepting a degree.

How Did Shaq Troll Charles Barkley During His Graduation Ceremony?

This weekend, the “Diesel” received his second Master’s degree, and this one was particularly special since it came from Louisiana State University, where he played college basketball. Video of the ceremony was recorded and shared to TikTok by Barstool Sports, which captured the moment Shaq was called to the stage. In a hilarious turn of events, though, O’Neal’s introduction was used as an A+ way to spite Barkley, and it was met with immense applause. Check out the video below to see exactly what happened:

Anytime I refer to Shaq now, I may have to address him by that full name, Shaquille “I Hate Charles Barkley” O’Neal. Seriously, though, this is the kind of trolling I appreciate, and I love that Shaq’s (fake) disdain for Barkley can even seep into an academic-related event. Quite frankly, I can’t think of a better stage on which the former Los Angeles Laker could’ve taken a fun shot at his longtime friend. On that note, I’d love to hear Barkley’s response to that joke.

I’m going to have to add this to the list of the best instances in which either Shaq or Sir Charles have made fun of each other. And believe me when I say there have been some great instances of that over the years.

What Are Some Ways Shaq And Charles Barkley Have Trolled Each Other?

How have Barkley and O’Neal trolled each other over the years, you might ask? Let me count the ways. For instance, Shaq previously confirmed that he was inspired to lose weight because he thought he was developing a “Charles Barkley retirement body.” Also, Barkley roasted O’Neal during an episode of Inside when the four-time NBA champion had to leave the set in the middle of a broadcast to use the bathroom. And, on a separate occasion, Shaq reiterated his “hate” for Barkley while addressing a restaurant-related rumor on The View.

Needless to say, these back-and-forth runs deep, but the two basketball hall of farmers also occasionally share some sweet moments that drive home the point that they’re truly close. To that point, Shaq previously opened up about his relationship with Barkley, saying that the ex-Phoenix Sun is like a “bigger brother” to him. So, in my mind, if you can’t joke about and troll a quasi-sibling, then who can you do that to?

If anything, I’m just glad Shaquille O’Neal and Charles Barkley remain close and can make humorous jokes at each other’s expense without it getting personal. That aside, serious congratulations are in order for Shaq for getting his latest Master’s Degree. Here’s hoping Barkley surprises him with a wild graduation gift when he returns to the Inside the NBA set to cover the rest of the playoffs.

The NBA playoffs have a dark cloud hanging over them as the league mourns the loss of two impactful players from the league's past and present. Jason Collins and Brandon Clarke passed away, and Inside the NBA's Charles Barkley and Shaquille O'Neal got candid about what these losses meant both for them and the league.

ESPN reported that Collins, the NBA's first openly gay player, died of brain cancer at 47 on Tuesday. The same day, AP News and others reported Clarke's death, after the 29-year-old forward for the Memphis Grizzlies was found at his home on Monday. The former athletes had a lot to say about both and spoke to their connection to both.

What Charles Barkley And Shaq Had To Say About Jason Collins' Death

Charles Barkley may be known for some of his wild statements and disparaging comments about San Antonio, but he has a solid track record as an ally of the LGBTQ+ community. Speaking specifically to Jason Collins' death during Inside the NBA, he talked about the impact Collins' coming out had on the league, and the bravery it took for him to be the first:

Shaquille O'Neal also has had his moments on Inside The NBA, but he can get serious when the time is right. O'Neal noted that he was actually pretty close with Jason Collins as well as his twin brother Jarron, and offered his condolences to his family:

I'm not at all surprised to see Shaq give such a heartfelt statement, knowing his reputation for having a kind side. It really speaks to the NBA as a brotherhood, considering Jason Collins often matched up against Shaq in his prime, and he still had nothing but kind things to share.

Charles Barkley Had An Emotional Response To Brandon Clarke's Death

While Brandon Clarke's official cause of death has not been released, AP reported that drug paraphernalia was found within the home, leading to speculation that his death was the result of an overdose. It struck a reaction from Barkley, who lost his younger brother Daryl in 2009 after years of battling a cocaine addiction:

Barkley hit the nail on the head, and at a time when drug addiction pops up in major television show storylines and impacts even people at the top of their profession, it's important to remember it can strike anyone. Hollywood has captured the trials of recovery and sobriety so well, and the difficulty of facing them.

As for the NBA, Brandon Clarke's death may be one of the most shocking since Kobe Bryant's passing. While he suffered from injury troubles in recent seasons, Clarke was a solid contributor for the Memphis Grizzlies, known as one of the league's best reserves off the bench.

CinemaBlend would like to offer its condolences to the family and friends of Jason Collins and Brandon Clarke, as well as the NBA. We look forward to what other tributes come in the following days, and how the league looks to honor both in light of their passings.

Sports fans were recently treated to some positive news, as Charles Barkley confirmed that he and Michael Jordan buried the hatchet after being estranged for years. The two NBA legends apparently reconnected thanks to a mutual friend, baseball player Vince Coleman. While Barkley is set to golf with Jordan sometime in the near future, someone he’s seemingly not planning to see soon is Tiger Woods. On that note, Barkley explained why both he and Jordan are no longer all that tight with the famous golfer.

Charles Barkley Speaks About His Relationship With Tiger Woods

To put it mildly, Barkley is someone who doesn’t exactly have a problem speaking his mind. (His wild sentiments about Inside the NBA’s suspected cancellation a few years ago prove that sentiment.) Barkley’s candor also extends to his discussions about his personal relationships and, with that, he discussed his former bond with Woods while on ESPN Radio. During the interview (which is on YouTube), after being asked if he and Jordan might reach out to Woods, Barkley shared an honest assessment:

Woods has experienced a number of personal issues in recent years, including automobile incidents as Charles Barkley alluded to. Most recently, this past March, Woods was arrested for DUI again after getting into a car accident near his home in Jupiter Island, Florida. Woods – who’s allegedly been grappling with the situation – released a statement in which he asked for privacy while seeking treatment. As Woods seeks to make changes, Barkley apparently wants to make it clear where he (and MJ) stand with him:

Barkley still seems to have respect for Woods, even though the latter supposedly ended their friendship. All in all, this situation sounds considerably different from what went down when Barkley and Jordan parted ways years ago.

How Did Charles Barkley And Michael Jordan Become Estranged For More Than A Decade?

Jordan and Barkley’s period of estrangement was set in motion by comments the latter made during a 2012 interview. During that discussion, Barkley chastised Jordan’s management of the Charlotte Bobcats at the time. The longtime media personality also opined that Jordan needed to get some better people around him. As has been shared by Barkley, Jordan didn’t take too kindly to the critiques, as His Airness later called his friend and chewed him out for airing those views.

In the years after all of that happened, Barkley opened up about “losing” Jordan’s friendship and admitted to missing their dynamic. However, the former Philadelphia 76er admitted that both he and the Chicago Bulls icon were “stubborn.” Barkley seemingly proved that point in 2023 when he was asked if he would ever mend fences with Jordan and simply said, “He’s got my number.” Despite that, Barkley was civil when discussing MJ and gave him his props, even going as far as to reveal the moment he knew Jordan was a better player than him.

As a fan, it honestly warms my heart to know that Charles Barkley and Michael Jordan are taking steps to renew their friendship. Such a reconciliation between the two of them and Tiger Woods seems unlikely at this point, however. It is still amiable, though, that Barkley wishes Woods well as he contends with his personal challenges.

It seems some magic is unfolding within the sports landscape, and I’m not talking about the developments in the NBA Playoffs. Longtime friends Michael Jordan and Charles Barkley have seemingly buried the hatchet years after their falling-out. That revelation recently came from Barkley, who suggested that he and MJ found some common ground. At the same time, there still doesn’t seem to be much movement regarding a reconciliation between Jordan and Scottie Pippen and, now a former teammate of theirs is weighing in.

A Former Bulls Player Weighs In On The State Of Michael Jordan And Scottie Pippen’s Relationship

Pippen and Jordan have been estranged since the release of the docuseries The Last Dance (which is streamable with a Netflix subscription) in 2020. While Pippen initially claimed not to have had a problem with the show, he later lambasted it and Jordan in his memoir, Unguaded. The Arkansas native claimed Jordan used his editorial power to uplift himself while not giving others due credit. Scott Williams mentioned the doc during his recent appearance on SiriusXM NBA Radio Post Game Show (via The Basketball Network), saying:

A significant portion of the Emmy-winning documentary was devoted to the dynamic between Jordan and his teammates. While they admitted that MJ’s methods could be tough, they also lauded him for his effectiveness. Still, the divide between Jordan and Pippen remains, though Williams remains optimistic about the chances of them putting their differences aside:

Scott Williams isn’t the only person who’d like to see a Pippen/Jordan reunion at some point in the future, as Dennis Rodman also believes they’ll link up again. Another Bulls alum, Horace Grant, thinks it’ll take Jordan and Pippen setting aside their egos to truly mend fences. What’s ironic, though, is Williams' mention of an intermediary, as that apparently played into Jordan’s kumbaya moment with Charles Barkley.

How Did Michael Jordan And Charles Barkley Get Back On Good Terms?

Charles Barkley has been candid about “losing” his friendship with Michael Jordan, and that apparently happened after Barkley criticized Jordan’s acumen and asserted that he needed “better” people around him. Jordan apparently called Barkley later that evening and chastised him for sharing those sentiments. While it seemed like the two would never repair their friendship after that, it seems a third-party stepped in and, as Barkley explained to ESPN Chicago (as seen on YouTube), they have a baseball player to thank for this:

And here I thought it was sports analyst Michael Wilbon’s job to get Charles Barkley and Michael Jordan back together. In all seriousness, though, it’s great to hear that they’re set to hang out and that Barkley is “looking forward to the future.” Whether that future also includes a scenario in which Scottie Pippen joins the pair for a tee time is unclear. For now, fans will just have to hold onto hope alongside Scott Williams and others that Jordan and Pippen’s friendship will be renewed.

If there’s anything that someone should know about Charles Barkley, it’s that the man rarely ever minces words on a given topic. The former NBA player is best known for dishing out his opinions on sports, especially basketball, and he even weighs in on other societal topics as well. Barkley’s blunt (and humorous) candor don’t stop at those either, as he’s even been known to call out his employers from time to time. On that note, Barkley recently had no trouble taking playful jabs at TNT over the measure they take for “security.”

Charles Barkley’s long-running sports show, Inside the NBA, may now be on ESPN, but he’s still helping with TNT’s coverage of the NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament this year. Barkley recently did sideline coverage with Dick Vitale for the Texas Longhorns and NC State game, during which he spoke to studio analyst Bruce Pearl. First, Barkley hall of famer joked that one of his “prerequisites for working on this game was that [he] didn’t want to be in the studio” with Pearl due to people looking for the latter. Barkley then said this:

Tell us how you really feel! But this is indeed the kind of brutally honest reply that a person could surely expect from Barkley. On some level, he’s definitely kidding his bosses but, on another, it seems he’s truly flabbergasted by the level of security that’s been established. Awful Announcing shared the clip from the broadcast to X, and it’s just as – if not more humorous – as viewers would probably imagine:

While these comments were mostly made in jest, there have been instances in which “Sir Charles has been more serious when it comes to his employers’ dealings. Case in point, he said some wild things about the top brass at TNT (which was under the now-defunct Turner Broadcasting) when it seemed Inside the NBA would be cancelled in 2024. Warner Bros. Discovery (the parent company) lost the broadcast rights to the NBA, and Barkley criticized the brand’s handling of the situation. Also, Barkley – who’s also shown love to the company in recent years – talked about production-related issues he’s had with his bosses.

ESPN, which has also been spoken highly of by Charles Barkley, hasn’t been spared by his critiques either. Barkley admitted earlier this year that he’d been enjoying working with the company, he’d “complained” about the lack of shows Inside had done throughout the pro-basketball season up to that point. That situation was due to the amended schedule that was established for this season of Inside. On that front, ESPN’s president has already suggested changes will be made for next year.

As for potential adjustments to TNT’s security, it can’t be said whether the company might take Charles Barkley’s humorously honest comments to heart. What can be said, though, is that if Barkley continues to be as boisterous as he’s been in the broadcasting booth thus far, March Madness is going to be very entertaining this year.

Charles Barkley is known for being vocal on a variety of topics, and that remains true when he discusses his workplace and employers. Earlier this year, Barkley revealed he complained to his bosses at ESPN about how infrequently Inside the NBA (the show he’s co-hosted for decades) had been airing since it moved to the network from TNT. “Sir Charles” eventually shared more thoughts on the air as well. Now, one of Barkley’s Inside colleagues, Kenny Smith is calling him out on all of that for a humorously ironic reason.

How And Why Did Kenny Smith Chastise Charles Barkley On Air?

Inside the NBA most recently aired on February 7 amid the 2026 TV schedule, and all but one of the hosts were present. Charles Barkley was not on the panel, as he’d previously revealed on his and Johnson’s Steam Room podcast that he would attend a Super Bowl party in Vegas over that weekend. Kenny Smith (as can be seen on YouTube) couldn’t help but poke fun at the situation, given his longtime co-star’s prior thoughts on their work schedule:

The former Houston Rockets player does have a point, as it is somewhat ironic that Barkley (who was later FaceTimed on air by Smith) has taken time off since his on-air spiel. Not only that, but it’s also funny that Barkley’s PTO was submitted so that he could hang with friends in Vegas and gamble, which he’s been known to do. I’d like to think Smith won’t let Barkley forget this one, especially considering how passionate he was about his position.

What Did Charles Barkley Initially Say About His Work Schedule?

Shortly after TNT and ESPN brokered the historic deal that brought Inside the NBA over to the latter network, Barkley was candid regarding concerns he had about his work schedule. He asserted that he would not work more frequently than he’d long been accustomed to and shared that sentiment on multiple occasions. His tune changed, as he revealed on The Dan Le Betard Show in January that he expected to be working more than he had been.

Inside had historically aired every Thursday but, since its move, it’s aired more sporadically. The latest season of the show debuted in late October, at which point three episodes aired and only one installment dropped in November before the series went on hiatus until Christmas Day. While Inside is set to be aired more during the latter half of the NBA season, there are still fans who’ve taken issue with there being fewer broadcasts for the show.

When the series returned to TV on January 24, Charles Barkley addressed his comments about complaining and still emphasized that he wished he, Smith, Ernie Johnson and Shaquille O’Neal had worked more often. Barkley also took some time to call out the “fools” who suggested their show had been pushed to the side due to the hosts supposedly making fun of players. Based on that conversation, Barkley was quite clear on his position, so I can understand why Smith would feel the need to rib him.

Barkley isn’t the only one member of the Inside team who’s spoken about the schedule change. Shaq also shared his thoughts, and he explained that he was fine with it due to his belief that the hiatus would make fans more excited for the latter half of the show’s season. ESPN’s president has since suggested that Inside could air more consistently when it returns for its next season.

Fans will have to wait and see what the future holds for Inside the NBA’s schedule following the 2025-2026 TV season. In the meantime, though, know that the show’s next episode hits ESPN on February 20. Let’s hope Charles Barkley is indeed present when the series returns as well.

In 2025, after NBA on NBC’s return was confirmed, the network stoked up major buzz by announcing basketball legend Michael Jordan had been tapped for a position. The Chicago Bulls icon was dubbed a “special contributor,” and details on Jordan’s gig were kept heavily under wraps early on. Last fall, it was finally revealed that Jordan took part in a pre-taped interview with Mike Tirico and that clips would be shared throughout the NBA season. Fans have since taken issue with that, and it seems Charles Barkley isn’t so happy either.

What Did Charles Barkley Say About Michael Jordan’s Job At NBC?

The backlash surrounding MJ: Insights to Excellence mostly seems to revolve around the fact that Jordan is providing specific analysis in real time. As it stands, the interview clips show him sharing his thoughts on general topics pertaining to the state of professional basketball. Charles Barkely can be counted amongst those who were expecting more from his former friend’s new position. During an interview with Sirius XM NBA Radio, which was shared to X, Barkley shared his discontent with the "disingenuous” content decision:

Sir Charles did indeed express enthusiasm over the notion of Michael Jordan joining the Peacock network’s professional basketball coverage. Last year, Barkley said it was “going to be fun” watching his fellow Dream Team alum on air, and he shut down the notion of them now being broadcasting “rivals.” (That last bit, of course, refers to the fact that Barkley has long been a co-host of Inside the NBA, which moved to ESPN at the end of 2025.) Now, it would appear that Barkley has more than changed his tune about Jordan’s hiring.

Mike Tirico himself weighed in on the backlash as well, admitting that the Michael Jordan segment “probably” wasn’t what everyone wanted. However, Tirico also argued that the segments still got fans buzzing, for better or worse. Ahead of that, former Bulls player Randy Brown also opined that it made sense for Jordan not to be a live commentator, because he didn’t possess the “mindset to critique” players. Whether or not that’s actually true, Barkley and others are not pleased.

How Have Michael Jordan And Charles Barkley Been Linked Over The Years?

Jordan comes up quite frequently whenever Barkley is being interviewed, as the two not only played against each other but were also good friends. The pair apparently met when they were still young players and, as their careers progressed, their friendship grew as well. In rare instances, the two appeared in interviews together, creating some truly funny moments.

At some point, the Barkley/Jordan friendship soured, however. Barkley has been candid about how his dynamic with Jordan deteriorated, confirming that it was set in motion by something he said about his former pal. Barkley made comments about Jordan’s position as a basketball team owner and said he needed to put some better people around him. Sometime after that, Jordan apparently chewed out Barkley over the phone, and the pair haven’t spoken since. Still, sports analyst Michael Wilbon is trying to reunite them.

It feels as though the chances of Michael Jordan and Charles Barkley reconciling are as slim as the chances of Jordan filming another interview for NBC. As of this writing, MJ isn’t scheduled to film additional content, though NBC Sports President Rick Cordella is open to continuing that partnership. Should that happen, I’d be curious as to whether execs would alter Jordan’s involvement in a way that would satiate fans (and Barkley).

Charles Barkley has said some wild things over the years, including comments related to Inside the NBA, the sports talk show he’s long co-hosted. Roughly a week ago, Barkley made headlines again when he revealed he’d complained about the show airing less frequently since moving to ESPN. Since then, some people have weighed in on the reasons for the show having fewer broadcasts. Inside recently returned the airwaves and, during that airing, Barkley dropped some choice words for the “fools” who’d spoken out.

Assumptions About Inside The NBA’s Schedule Are Made By Social Media Users And A TV Host

Before this past Saturday, January 24, Inside the NBA last aired on Christmas Day and, prior to that, a new episode of the show hadn't aired since November 12. All the while, some fans online began to speculate about the lower number of broadcasts. Veteran media personality Colin Cowherd didn’t keep his own thoughts a secret.Cowherd addressed the matter on his Fox Sports show, The Herd, this past Friday. After referencing Barkley’s complaints, Cowherd shared his thoughts on Inside’s position:

The assertion from Cowherd suggests that the National Basketball Association worked with Disney's flagship sports network to push Inside to the side for a bit. So, if that were true, why would that have happened? Well, Cowherd dropped more reasons for why he thinks Inside has been “buried”:

ESPN brought Inside the NBA into the fold after Warner Bros. Discovery (the parent company of TNT) lost the broadcast rights to the league. What should also be pointed out is that the show’s schedule was pre-planned and announced months ago. ESPN President Burke Magnus also said the show wasn’t airing as much due to a provision on Turner Broadcasting/TNT’s part. Magnus has also shared the company’s intention to add more broadcasts next season. Now, though, Charles Barkley is calling out the rumors.

Charles Barkley Didn’t Hold Back When Addressing Rumors About Inside The NBA

By the time he was on air this weekend, “Sir Charles” was definitely aware of the chatter sparked by his initial scheduling comments. He initially sought to clarify his sentiments about complaining to upper management. While Barkley even initially said he’d enjoyed working for ESPN, he still reiterated during the broadcast that “there was no reason for us to be off two months.” The basketball hall of famer then turned his attention to the “fools on television” who made claims about why he and his crew hadn’t been on the air as much lately:

From there, two of Charles Barkley’s co-hosts – Kenny Smith and Ernie Johnson – emphasized the fact that the show is now set to air heavily over the next few months. As part of that, the group will cover the NBA postseason, including the Finals. The hosts’ heightened presence for the playoffs is actually one of the reasons Shaquille O’Neal is cool with the new schedule.

So, all in all, it would seem that fans should be wise not to buy into any rumors regarding Inside the NBA’s schedule at ESPN. I’m still curious, however, as to how the network might make adjustments for the show’s schedule next season following fan complaints. For now, though, check out Charles Barkley, Shaq and co. when they return yet again amid the 2026 TV schedule on Wednesday, January 28, starting with NBA Tip-Off at 6 p.m. ET.

Inside the NBA’s move to ESPN has drawn a myriad of responses from fans in great part due to the show’s new schedule. Since the season premiere last fall, the series hasn’t aired as frequently as it did when it was on TNT. Instead of airing weekly, the beloved talk show has cropped up more sporadically in recent months. Needless to say, fans haven’t been shy about sharing their discontent with the change. Now, co-host Charles Barkley is speaking out as well and, given prior comments Barkley shared, this new take is somewhat surprising.

Ahead of Inside’s new season, Barkley shared his hopes for his professional future at ESPN. The longtime broadcaster said he did not want a greater workload under his new employers, citing his age as a reason for that. Barkley is singing a somewhat different tune after a few months working for Disney, though. The “Round Mound of Rebound” appeared on The Dan Le Betard Show and revealed that while the transition has been “great,” he and others “complained” to the bosses about their lighter schedule:

As the 62-year-old basketball hall of famer alluded to during his interview (which is on YouTube), Inside the NBA only aired a handful of shows this October and only one in November. The show returned for Christmas Day coverage but, as of this writing, it’s still on hiatus. It’s honestly ironic to hear Barkley say he’d like to work more, given his prior stance but, because he’s been part of so few broadcasts thus far, his sentiments are understandable. Barkley’s aware the season will pick up, but he’s still disappointed:

Inside the NBA’s presence will indeed pick up during the latter stretch of this NBA season, as a number of shows are scheduled to air throughout February, March and April. Barkley and his co-hosts – Ernie Johnson, Kenny Smith and Shaquille O’Neal – will also cover the playoffs and will even provide their services for the NBA Finals this year. Shaq actually likes this schedule, as he believes viewers will be even more eager to watch him and his co-stars during the postseason given their absence.

Anyone who’s still unhappy with the broadcast schedule as a whole, though, may still have reason to feel optimistic about the road ahead. ESPN President Burke Magnus explained that a previously established contractual provision with TNT/Turner was the cause of the low number of airings. Magnus also explained that the main goal for this year was to ink the deal for Inside and, next year, a more robust schedule can be ironed out.

So, by the time Inside the NBA airs this coming fall during the latter part of the 2026 TV schedule, its presence may be much greater than it is now. I’m curious as to whether that’ll be the case and Charles Barkley ends up being satisfied with how frequently he and his colleagues are working. In the meantime, know that Inside returns to ESPN on Saturday, January 24th and that its next two airings will be on Wednesday, January 28th and Saturday, January 31st.

For years, Charles Barkley and Michael Jordan were two of the fiercest competitors on the basketball court. They were also, however, good friends outside of the game and frequently hung out. Jordan and Barkley’s friendship has since dissipated, and the latter has occasionally shared insight into the breakdown of that relationship. Now, “Sir Charles” is sharing more recollections about the moment that ended his friendship with “Air Jordan.” And, apparently, a tense late-night phone call was even involved.

Charles Barkley has long been honest about the fact that he inadvertently initiated his estrangement from Michael Jordan by making some comments about his former friend. As Barkley explained during his recent appearance on The Tom Tolbert Show (which is on YouTube), those comments were made while he was on the air. The former NBA MVP recalled his exact critiques, which he also referred to as “indisputed facts”:

In 1999, following his retirement from the Chicago Bulls, Jordan joined the Washington Wizards as the President of Basketball Operations, and he served a minority owner as well, before eventually coming out of retirement to play for the team After being fired from his position as director in 2003, following his third and final retirement. In 2006, he became a minority owner of the NBA team then known as the Charlotte Bobcats and became majority owner of the team (the first ex-player to ever accomplish that) in 2010. He sold his majority stake in 2019.

Like Barkley, some other pundits criticized some of the business decisions Jordan made as an executive. Barkley went on to explain to Tom Tolbert that later in the evening, after he made his comments, Jordan called him and was not happy at all:

Charles Barkley previously talked about “losing” his friendship with Michael Jordan, saying that he loved him like a “brother” but believed the Space Jam alum needed to surround himself with better people. The Inside the NBA co-host attributed their continued estrangement to the fact that they’re both “stubborn.” When asked on a separate occasion if his friendship with Jordan could be repaired, Barkley merely said “he’s got my number.”

Still, Barkley has praised his former friend on several occasions, like when he recalled admitting that Jordan was the better player between the two of them. Barkley also credited Jordan for giving him career advice. It seems unlikely that Barkley and Jordan – who’s also engaged in a one-sided feud with ex-teammate, Scottie Pippen – will ever mend fences. Still, crazier things have happened, right?

Professional basketball coverage looks different this fall amid the 2025 TV schedule, and that’s certainly been the case for long-running talk show Inside the NBA. Thanks to TNT and ESPN’s historic licensing deal, the beloved show is now airing on the latter network. Media pundits and fans alike were concerned about this change as were the hosts of the show. Now that Inside has been airing on its new network for a few weeks now, co-host Charles Barkley is sharing a humorous (but earnest) take on what it’s been like so far.

Charles Barkley said a lot of wild things when it seemed Inside would be canceled due to TNT losing the broadcast rights to the NBA. And, even after the ESPN deal went through, Barkley remained candid about having questions in regard to how he and his co-hosts would fit into the Disney-owned company’s plans. Barkley dished on his new workplace during his latest visit to The Dan Patrick Show. In a clip shared to X, “Sir Charles” declared he wouldn’t “kiss nobody’s ass” but did share some positive sentiments:

Ahead of Inside the NBA’s season premiere, what many were quite worried about was whether the show’s format would remain intact. Historically, the series has thrived by having an hour-long timeslot, which allows Barkley and co-hosts Ernie Johnson, Kenny Smith and Shaquille O’Neal to really talk about topics related to basketball and more. Another concern was the truncated schedule for the show, which is set to go on hiatus until Christmas after its next broadcast on November 12.

Even though the shortened schedule will remain intact, not much else has seemingly changed about Inside at this point. ESPN President Jimmy Pitaro attempted to ease concerns months ago by emphasizing that the quartet of hosts was staying intact, and they’ve certainly been in top form thus far. On that note, it’s apparent that executives aren’t looking to filter the hosts’ sometimes boisterous way of discussing news. Charles Barkley also added another point in regard to the current state of the show:

As someone who’s long watched Inside, it’s wonderful to see that the show hasn’t lost its signature spark amid its transition to a new network. It would, admittedly, be wonderful if it still aired once a week but, at this point, I just feel fortunate that it’s still around at all. Let’s be real, basketball fans, the notion of a world in which Charles Barkley isn’t sharing his unfiltered views on sports and pop culture during a talk show just seems unfortunate.

Check out the Inside the NBA crew when the show returns to ESPN on Wednesday, November 12 for a doubleheader – the Orlando Magic vs. the New York Knicks and the Los Angeles Lakers vs. the Oklahoma City Thunder.

The 2025-2026 NBA season is almost here, which also means Inside the NBA is nearing its debut on ESPN. A lot has been said about the former TNT-housed sports talk show moving to a new network. Much of that discussion has pertained to concerns about the program being changed to align with the programming on its new channel. Fans haven’t been alone, as even series co-host Charles Barkley expressed concerns. Yet, now, Barkley is revealing two key elements within the show that won’t change.

Anyone who’s watched Inside over the years likely knows that the show – which premiered on TNT in 1989 – possesses a specific vibe that sets it apart from other sports programs. Charles Barkley, like co-hosts Ernie Johnson, Kenny Smith and Shaquille O’Neal, is cognizant of what makes the series work so well. While discussing the network shift months ago, Barkley revealed that both he and Johnson were concerned about the show’s timeslot being long enough. But, as Barkley recently explained, that’s not going to be problem:

So, according to Sir Charles, not only will the series not be rushed off the air to make way for SportsCenter, but it also seems the hosts won’t be beholden to affiliates when they cover games on ABC. Historically, Inside the NBA has run for 50 minutes to an hour late on Thursday nights, though the initial ESPN schedule indicated that the show would run in a 30-minute slot early on. As far as the public knows, that’ll still be the case but possibly not all the time. During his interview with Heavy, Barkley also had this to say:

The timeslot was a major point of discussion amongst fans, who dreaded the prospect of a shortened show. Also, ESPN notably relies heavily on commercials, which some theorized would have a negative impact on Inside. For his part, sports pundit Bill Simmons even predicted the show would be ruined due to the way Disney’s flagship sports network handles its programming.

Speaking of programming, a comprehensive schedule for Inside was released by ESPN after Charles Barkley discussed what wouldn’t be changing. Although the plan is detailed, it further drives home the point that the show won’t be airing every Thursday as viewers are accustomed to. Previously, Shaq seemingly eased concerns by saying he and his colleagues would continue to film a show once or twice a week on a consistent basis, but that remains to be seen.

I suppose, though, the consolation comes in the form of the promises Charles Barkley made about the affiliates and lack of rush for SportsCenter. Fans will see how it all plays out when Inside the NBA has its two-night premiere on ESPN on October 22 and 23 as part of two NBA doubleheaders amid the 2025 TV schedule.

It feels as though the debate regarding the basketball GOAT is as old as time itself at this point, and that debate typically involves players like Michael Jordan and LeBron James. For years now, there have been fans who’ve called Jordan the best player to ever set foot on the hardwood. However, given James’ accomplishments, some believe the (still-active) NBA veteran now surpasses “His Airness.” Charles Barkley was recently asked if James now sits above Jordan in the rankings, and I loved his cerebral answer.

62-year-old Charles Barkley spoke at the Rowan University Center for Sports Communication and Social Impact. While Barkley was taking questions, a fan asked if “King James” overtakes MJ as the basketball GOAT. The attendee – whose name was ironically, Jordan – based his question on the fact that James is now the NBA’s all-time leading scorer, ranks high in different statistical categories and has played more than 20 seasons among other distinctions. As seen on YouTube, Barkley laid out his answer as follows:

“Sir Charles” is known for dishing out blunt takes on basketball and non-sports-related topics. As funny and animated as he can be when sharing thoughts, Barkley is known to choose his words carefully on some topics. He makes a very good point in that the game is played a lot differently today and that rules have been instituted that have lowered the lack of physicality. As mentioned, The Last Dance (the Chicago Bulls docuseries that’s available with a Netflix subscription) shows how chippy games could get back in the ‘80s and ‘90s. With that, an athlete like Michael Jordan had to be quite strong to impose their will.

Of course, the now-40-year-old LeBron James is a physically imposing presence in his own right and has been highly regarded for how he’s been able to keep himself in shape. When it comes to how James compares to Air Jordan, Charles Barkley simply stated the obvious – that these are two players who competed in “different eras.” However, Barkley also shared his take on how James had an advantage over Jordan:

Barkley, who used to be friends with Michael Jordan, ultimately couldn’t convince the fan as. Because, when the former Phoenix Sun asked if he’d take Jordan, James or the late Kobe Bryant if he had to win a Game 7 matchup, the fan said James.

The ongoing GOAT discussion is honestly very interesting, and everyone’s entitled to their own opinion, of course. I still lean towards Michael Jordan being “the one,” but there are certainly arguments to be made for Lebron James and others. Ironically enough, years ago, Jordan shut down the GOAT talk surrounding him and the likes of Magic Johnson and Larry Bird. Given the times in which they played in their respective primes, he sees himself as parallel to those two.

More than likely, this debate regarding who’s the best basketball player of all time is likely going to persist. In my humble opinion, though, if it continues to spark positive discussions, including the one Charles Barkley had with the fan, I’m all for it.

Charles Barkley has long been one of the co-hosts of Inside the NBA but, over the last year he had the opportunity to search for employment elsewhere. After TNT struck a deal to license Inside out to ESPN, Barkley fielded offers from other companies. He eventually opted to work with ESPN and maintain duties at TNT as well. Interestingly enough, the basketball hall of famer was also offered a significant amount of cash from NBC, and he didn’t hold back while explaining why turned down the job despite the big paycheck.

This isn’t the first time “Sir Charles” has mentioned that he spoke with other media corporations while plotting out his professional future. Barkley, who walked back his retirement plans in 2024, specifically named NBC as one of the entities he met with. Yet it wasn’t until the former Phoenix Sun appeared on The Bill Simmons Podcast that he revealed his reason for denying the deal he was offered by the NBCUniversal-owned corporation. Apparently, it came down to what Barkley referred to as “bullshit” within the deal:

Bill Simmons went on to say during the interview (which is on YouTube) that he “liked all those” specific events including Charles Barkley in their coverage. However, the “Round Mound of Rebound” himself bluntly stated that he wasn’t for any of it. Barkley then told Simmons that at this point in his career, he has no interest in working more as he gets older.

The former NBA MVP did admit that he was down for working two days a week because of his respect for former NBCUniversal chairman Mark Lazarus, who hired him at Turner years ago. However, a specific “red flag” paired with the contract specifications are what discouraged Barkley from signing on the dotted line:

While NBC apparently offered both Charles Barkley and Ernie Johnson the chance to move and bring crew members with them, they opted against it and found an arrangement with TNT. Also, for clarity, this all occurred before the ESPN deal was solidified. Barkley said some wild things about Inside the NBA and its uncertain future throughout 2024. However, a point he consistently made clear is that he wanted to ensure his colleagues would remain employed. That desire to save jobs was a big reason why he decided to scrap his retirement plans.

Inside may be continuing, but Charles Barkley has still expressed concerns about the show’s future, particularly how it’ll be formatted now that it’s on ESPN. The early schedule that was released boosted fans’ fears, as it included a shortened time slot and fewer broadcasts. However, ESPN’s President of Content, Burke Magnus, recently told The Athletic, that the show will be “very similar” to the way it’s always been. Time will tell if it plays out to Barkley’s liking (and whether he’ll continue to dish on the jobs he turned down).

Inside the NBA will make its much-discussed debut on TNT in just over a month, and there are some changes on the horizon. The show’s initial schedule for the network reveals that it’ll air in a reduced 50-minute timeslot and, after its October 23 broadcast, it seemingly won’t return until coverage of the NBA’s Christmas Day games. Series co-host Charles Barkley has been looking for answers concerning what he and his colleagues can expect. However, Barkley still seems to be content with one aspect of the show’s big move.

Back in late 2024, TNT and ESPN reached an agreement that would allow for Inside to be licensed out to the latter network following the end of the former’s broadcasting deal with the NBA. As part of the deal, the long-running basketball talk show will also continue to be produced from its studio in Atlanta. Charles Barkley discussed the arrangement while appearing on The BetMGM Network (as shared on YouTube). While his show is no longer facing cancellation, Barkley still seems to be contending with some uncertainty:

During his recent interview, Sir Charles went on to acknowledge that Inside the NBA’s early broadcasts on ESPN. Barkley previously explained that both he and co-host Ernie Johnson were concerned about the show possibly being cut down time-wise. That’s because, as the former Phoenix Sun has mentioned, the best material arrives during the latter portion of the postgame show, where the antics really take shape. The prospect of an altered timeslot is also what had sports journalist Bill Simmons concerned about the network change.

Charles Barkley isn’t all doom and gloom when it comes to this situation, though. During his interview, Barkley gave both TNT and ESPN their props for being able to “salvage” Inside. In Barkley’s mind, this is a “best-case scenario” for the series. He seems to hold that belief in great part due to another factor that was discussed amid the show’s potential cancellation:

In 2024, shortly after it appeared that Inside the NBA would be canceled, Charles Barkley made some wild statements. A major point that Barkley consistently emphasized, however, was his desire to keep people from losing their jobs. At one point, he even pulled a journalist into an elevator for an unsanctioned interview, during which the Round Mound of Rebound attempted to make his case. Barkley’s desire to save jobs is also what prompted him to walk back his retirement decision.

Although a portion of the band will be sticking together when Inside the NBA returns in October, it’s hard not to think about the changes that lie ahead. Hopefully, Barkley’s concerns (and those of fans like myself) about Inside’s new era will be soothed as time goes on.

A new day will soon dawn for Inside the NBA as well as its co-hosts and their collaborators. Before losing the broadcast rights to the NBA, TNT struck a historic deal to license the beloved sports talk show out to ESPN. Plenty of fans expressed relief over the fact that the show would continue to air. However, there have still been concerns about what the show will look like once it premieres on its new network. Co-host Charles Barkley has been particularly vocal, and he just revealed one concern he’s talked over with Ernie Johnson.

When it comes to the formerly believed demise of Inside the NBA and its deliverance from cancellation, Charles Barkley hasn’t held back his thoughts. Barkley’s future with the show is set, though he has still expressed uncertainty in regard to what’s to come. The basketball hall of famer recently chatted with the Pardon My Take podcast and was asked about Inside’s next chapter. Barkley admitted that he doesn’t know how the show will be “different,” and he’s wondering what the time format will be like on Disney’s flagship sports hub:

Those who’ve watched Inside the NBA likely know that the show devotes a lot of time not just to highlights but to the discussions had by its quartet of panelists. “Sir Charles” has deep discussions with Ernie Johnson, Kenny Smith and Shaquille O’Neal, which make the show engaging. When Barkley said during the interview (which is on YouTube) that the telecasts can get “weird,” he was surely referring to the fact that shenanigans ensue during the late hours. Barkley and O’Neal specifically get wild while the cameras are still on.

In terms of the show’s timing moving forward, Charles Barkley isn’t the only person who’s expressed concerns. Sports media pundit Bill Simmons weighed in as well and emphatically declared that ESPN would ruin Inside due to its commercial-heavy programming style. Jimmy Pitaro, the network’s president, claimed that no changes would be made but, as of right now, Charles Barkley doesn’t seem totally convinced:

These recent sentiments actually represent some of Charles Barkley’s tamer thoughts on the Inside the NBA cancellation/move saga. In 2024, when the show was facing the axe, Barkley said some truly wild things. During this same interview with Pardon My Take, he also chastised his employers at TNT and Warner Bros. Discovery for not keeping him and his colleagues abreast when the show’s fate seemed uncertain. Barkley has also been waiting for more details on his work schedule, which may be greater than what he’s used to.

I’ve personally been watching Inside the NBA for years now, and I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t a little worried about how the series will be handled by ESPN. At the very least, it’s comforting to know that Barkley and co. will still be together on air. Let’s just hope they still have plenty of time to chop it up on screen as they’ve been doing for years now.

In late 2024, TNT and ESPN reached a historic licensing deal and, as part of it, Inside the NBA will air on the latter network starting this fall. Fans were elated to hear that announcement, though it was preceded by months of uncertainty. At that time, not even the hosts of the aforementioned show were sure that the long-running sports program would continue. Now, Charles Barkley is weighing in on how he thinks TNT managed that situation, and he didn’t mince words at all while expressing his disapproval.

The potential cancellation of Inside the NBA prompted the Round Mound of Rebound to speak his mind on more than a few occasions. When everything was resolved, the legendary Phoenix Sun joked that he had to go back to “kissing ass.” That mantra didn’t stop him from chewing out his longtime employers when he appeared on the Pardon My Take podcast (which is on YouTube). The basketball hall of famer recalled his non-wealthy co-workers expressing concerns over their job security, before talking about the powers that be:

Charles Barkley made some pointed statements while Inside was in limbo. From the jump, he made it clear that he felt bad for his colleagues who could face financial hardship due to the elimination of their jobs. Barkley also called out execs for not working harder to secure a new deal for the network’s broadcast rights to the NBA. On top of that, Barkley even held an unauthorized interview with a journalist in an elevator, in which he emphasized his displeasure with the potential end of the show and its ramifications.

During that same stretch of time, various rumors and reports swirled around Inside the NBA. It now seems that fans and media pundits weren’t the only ones who were desperate for answers regarding the series’ future. Amid his recent interview, Charles Barkley spoke more about the confusion and used a postseason scenario to illustrate how he felt TNT handled the matter:

Although he was disillusioned by the way his bosses handled the matter, Charles Barkley’s future as a broadcaster is set. He announced his retirement shortly after it seemed that Inside would end, but he later scrapped that plan, saying that he would stick around in an effort to save jobs. Still, Barkley’s been clear about wanting more details on what his work schedule at ESPN will be like, given that he, Ernie Johnson, Kenny Smith and Shaquille O’Neal will reportedly have to provide coverage for more games.

Questions do indeed remain in regard to how Inside the NBA will look when it debuts on ESPN. Sports pundit Bill Simmons believes the show will be ruined due to the network’s heavy reliance on commercials. Charles Barkley also told Pardon My Take that he and his colleagues still have “questions,” but it seems he’s still sticking with his team. If Barkley’s history and this latest chat are any indication, though, he’ll continue to be honest about his discontent with his bosses as time goes on.

Charles Barkley and Michael Jordan aren’t friends anymore, but the former doesn’t hesitate to give his former pal credit wherever it’s due. The past several years have seen Barkley not only talk up Jordan’s skills on the basketball court but also defend him from Scottie Pippen’s criticisms. His Airness came up during another discussion that Barkley had just recently. Interestingly enough, the conversation prompted the Round Mound of Rebound to recall the moment he had to admit to himself that Jordan was the better player.

Although it’s been said that Charles Barkley’s co-workers would get nervous over his appearances on The Dan Patrick Show, I love them. That’s because the outspoken Barkley won’t hesitate to share brutally honest takes on his broadcasting career, NBA tenure, personal life and more. During Barkley’s latest interview on the show (which is available on YouTube), he admitted to Patrick that, years ago, he thought he was better than Larry Bird, MJ and more. His thoughts on Jordan changed, however, after a certain event in 1993:

The ‘90s was a golden age for the NBA, as various teams were led by dominant players. Michael Jordan and the Bulls truly emerged during that decade, and the Suns became a true force after Charles Barkley joined them in 1992. At the time, Barkley was eager to prove that he was the best player in the world and, as he said during the interview, he predicted to his teammates at training camp that they would meet the Bulls in the Finals. Of course, that happened but not as Barkley assumed it would:

Over the years, Charles Barkley has discussed the 1993 NBA Finals on other occasions. He also talked about that postseason series during the docuseries The Last Dance (which is streamable with a Netflix subscription). Barkley later admitted that he enjoyed watching the Emmy-winning show but said that reliving his team’s loss in the Finals brought up a “bad memory” for him. Nevertheless, he gave the Bulls credit for the work.

It’s honestly a shame that the Jordan/Barkley friendship is over, and I really feel that way whenever Barkley shares positive thoughts about his old buddy. Nevertheless, Barkley doesn’t seem keen on mending fences, given that he himself – by his own admission – is stubborn. Sports journalist Michael Wilbon is supposedly in charge of bringing Barkley and Jordan together again, but I’m not sure that’ll happen. In the meantime, I just appreciate the level of respect that Barkley has for his ex-comrade’s basketball-playing skills.

Michael Jordan and Charles Barkley were fierce competitors when they faced off against each other in various NBA games during the ‘90s. However, the two also developed a close friendship, which resulted in some very funny, off-court moments. That bond endured for some time, though the two basketball hall of famers eventually had a falling-out. Barkley and Jordan remain estranged to this day, but it seems there’s at least one person who seems keen on reuniting the pair – and it’s a sports analyst.

Not too many sports journalists are as respected as Michael Wilbon is, and there’s a good reason for that. For about 40 years now, Wilbon has been a trusted source for news and has been highly regarded for his cerebral takes on sports-related topics. Wilbon also keeps a cool head when discussing basketball and more. So, when he appeared on the Pablo Torres Finds Out podcast (via X), the titular host expressed a sense of surprise that Wilbon had yet to help the two Dream Team members mend fences. Wilbon then provided a response:

Based on the way in which Pablo Torres and co. mentioned that “job,” it’s hard not to get the feeling that Wilbon’s been on this for a while. I do my best to keep up with developments within the basketball world but, if this goal was assigned to the Pardon the Interruption co-host a while ago, I’m not sure how I remained out of the loop. Regardless, I can appreciate the broadcaster’s commitment to wanting to bring the two NBA legends together again. Of course, that could be easier said than done.

Charles Barkley previously explained that he lost his friendship with Michael Jordan after he suggested to his longtime friend that he needed to “put better people around him.” In short, Barkley believed that Jordan should surround himself with people who would be honest with him and not sugar coat anything given the luxuries he could possibly offer them. The Round Mound of Rebound did say he still loved MJ “like a brother” but that they couldn’t reconcile because they’re both “stubborn.” To that end, when asked if he and Jordan would ever repair their friendship, Barkley said, “He’s got my number.”

Still, Sir Charles has praised and defended his former friend on a number of occasions in recent years. When Scottie Pippen chastised Air Jordan after ESPN’s The Last Dance, Barkley took him to task for “big-game hunting” in order to sell his memoir, Unguarded. In regard to that same docuseries (which is available to stream with a Netflix subscription), Barkley noted how it showed Jordan and the Bulls’ resilience as they won championships, even though Barkley’s loss to them in the ‘93 NBA Finals signifies a “bad memory.”

More recently, the Inside the NBA co-host also shared positive thoughts on Michael Jordan joining NBC’s NBA coverage this coming fall. On top of that, Barkley doesn’t believe he and Jordan are now broadcasting “rivals” now because, ultimately, they’re both just promoting the game of basketball. If you ask me, it sounds like Barkley doesn’t hold any ill will towards his old buddy.

However, for any kind of Jordan/Barkley friendship to be reforged, one of them has to make the first movie, and it doesn’t seem like either is keen on doing so. Considering that, maybe someone as calm, cool and collected as Michael Wilbon could reunite these two pals. Who knows if it’ll actually happen, but it would be great to see.

The sports broadcasting landscape is going through yet another change, as NBC is making a comeback when it comes to NBA content. After regaining the broadcast rights to the professional basketball league, the aforementioned network is reviving NBA on NBC (and Peacock). With that, network execs are building a robust roster of broadcasters to help with coverage, and they’ve even lured sports legend Michael Jordan into the fold. Now, Jordan’s former friend, Charles Barkley, is weighing in on him becoming a broadcaster.

What Did Charles Barkley Say About Michael Jordan Joining NBC?

Charles Barkley has been in the sports media business for some time now, as he’s co-anchored fan-favorite show Inside the NBA since 2000. So the “Round Mound of Rebound” certainly knows a thing or two about being a broadcaster. The Daily Mail caught up with Barkley, during which he was asked for his thoughts on “Air Jordan” making the jump to the TV business. Overall, it would seem that Barkley is ecstatic about this turn of events:

Michael Jordan’s decision to join the Peacock network as a “special contributor” at the start of the 2025-2026 NBA season does come as a bit of a surprise. While Jordan did take part in the Emmy-winning 2020 docuseries, The Last Dance (which is available to Netflix subscription holders), he has mostly sought privacy during his post-playing years. I’m still eager to see what he brings to the table as an analyst, though, just like Charles Barkley. As for whether this TV gig sparks a new rivalry of sorts for them, Barkley has this to say:

That’s a refreshing take, and “Sir Charles” is certainly right about that. At the end of the day, the NBA broadcasters on the various networks are working to provide accurate and entertaining coverage. Barkley and his crew at Inside have been seeking to do that for years now (and they certainly know how to entertain viewers). Their work situation will look a bit different this fall, though, given the corporate changes that have impacted the long-running talk show.

How Is Inside The NBA Going To Be Different During The Upcoming Basketball Season?

For much of 2024, it seemed that Inside the NBA would be cancelled due to TNT’s parent company, Warner Bros. Discovery, losing the broadcast rights to the eponymous sports league. The situation turned around, however, when TNT Sports and ESPN struck a historic deal that would allow the show to be licensed out to the latter network. While that announcement was accompanied by some excitement, some pundits have expressed concerns over the move.

Charles Barkley has been waiting for specific details on his work schedule, given that he and co-hosts Ernie Johnson, Kenny Smith and Shaquille O’Neal are reportedly going to be covering more games. Another word of caution came from Bill Simmons, as the veteran sports journalist believes the show’s dialogue-driven format will suffer due to ESPN’s commercial-heavy broadcasts. Nevertheless, network president Jimmy Pitaro seems confident that with Inside’s four hosts still in the fray, the series will continue to thrive.

As a longtime fan of Inside the NBA, I’m hopeful that the show’s will quality will hold up amid this new era. It’d be a shame if Charles Barkley and co. aren’t able to continue to do the work that’s made them popular for so long. On that same token, I’m hopeful that Michael Jordan is in a position to effectively deliver his unique perspectives on NBC and emerges as a must-see personality like Barkley. In the meantime, grab a Peacock subscription, so you’ll be able to stream Jordan’s coverage when it begins this fall.

One of the biggest reasons why Inside the NBA has been so successful for so long is that it features a dais of highly entertaining personalities. That panel is made up of Ernie Johnson, Kenny Smith, Shaquille O’Neal and Charles Barkley. All four men have great, on-screen chemistry and compliment each other quite well. Someone could compare them to a humorous (and sometimes raucous) orchestra. However, Smith likened himself and his cohorts to specific boxing veterans, and his take is so on point.

Kenny Smith has been a member of the Inside cast for over two decades now, and the show’s current lineup of hosts has been intact for 14 years now. So, needless to say, Smith is more than familiar with the three men who sit at the table with him. The former Houston Rocket recently sat down with The New Yorker for a wide-ranging interview about his life and career. When it came to describing his co-stars on the beloved (former) TNT show, Smith laid it like so:

The notion of three former basketball players being compared to boxing legends may be somewhat ironic. However, I can’t think of a better way to sum up all four of Inside the NBA’s hosts. Charles Barkley says some wild things and, in the process, he can deliver some verbal haymakers, but Shaquille O’Neal is a heavyweight in his own right and can deliver a serious blow. The notion of Ernie Johnson (who’s compared himself to a “rogue traffic cop”) is also fitting, as he does indeed make attempts to clean up any boo boos on set.

Kenny Smith is also correct in comparing himself to the scrappy Sugar Ray Leonard and Floyd Mayweather. He may not go for the proverbial knockout like his co-stars, but he can wear someone down with information. So this all begs one question: who tends to bleed the most? Smith answered that very query when it was posed to him later in the conversation:

The Diesel does indeed put himself through quite a bit on set, as he’s been shoved into many Christmas trees in his time. Of course, he does it for viewers’ amusement, and the feat is appreciated whenever it happens. The same is also true of Shaq and Charles Barkley’s humorous antics, which often go viral. All in all, the Inside crew have a special bond (and they have the coordinating holiday shirts and photoshoot to prove it).

As of late, there’s been a lot of speculation as to whether the quartet’s famous show will maintain its format and style due to its impending move to ESPN. Charles Barkley expressed concerns about what’s to come and, during his recent interview, even Kenny Smith admitted to being “uncomfortable” about potential format changes. Nevertheless, insiders claim the show won’t be changed, and Smith himself believes the program “will translate” accordingly.

Hopefully, Kenny Smith’s prediction proves to be correct, considering how entertaining the show has been in its current form. I don’t know about you but I’m ready to see more of Smith and co. duking it in the proverbial boxing ring that is Inside the NBA.

Inside the NBA is poised to enter a new era this fall, as the long-running TNT sports talk show is making the jump to ESPN due to a historical licensing deal. While fans have expressed excitement about the fact that the series will continue, there has been a level of trepidation from some of those involved with the show. Charles Barkley has been particularly vocal about how he’s approaching this new work situation with caution. Now, he’s doubling down on his concerns and more ahead of his beloved show’s big move.

The “Round Mound of Rebound” has never been one to bite his tongue, and that’s certainly been true when it comes to his feelings on the drama that’s surrounded Inside. During his recent interview with Atlanta’s 680 The Fan (which is available on Apple Podcasts), Charles Barkley was asked if he believed the ex-TNT show would stay true to its roots. Barkley didn’t hold back, admitting that he couldn’t provide a concrete answer while also trying to remain optimistic:

At this point, the former Phoenix Sun isn’t the only person who’s expressed a hint of skepticism about Inside the NBA’s new landing spot. Just recently, journalist Bill Simmons expressed his belief that the ESPN would “fuck the show up.” Simmons opined that the flow of Inside’s dialogue-driven format would be disrupted due to the Disney-owned network’s commercial-heavy programming approach. There’s something else, though, that’s seemingly been bothering “Sir Charles,” though.

In late 2024, after Warner Bros. Discovery and Disney made their big deal, Charles Barkley said he was still waiting for clarification about his work schedule. With TNT, Barkley’s schedule was relatively flexible, especially since Inside only aired one episode per week. Barkley and his co-hosts will now, however, reportedly assist with NBA Finals coverage (including pregame, halftime and postgame analysis) and cover Christmas Day games, the opening and closing weeks of the season and more. Despite the lack of clarity he’s received, Barkley’s future is set, as he officially signed a new contract after axing his retirement plans.

ESPN’s big brass has seemingly been doing what it can to extinguish concerns that anyone has about what lies ahead for Inside the NBA. Network president Jimmy Pitaro said that he and his colleagues are “keeping the band together,” meaning Charles Barkley, Ernie Johnson, Kenny Smith and Shaquille O’Neal. Pitaro didn’t speak to any specific changes in the format, but an insider claims the notion of big changes being on the way has been exaggerated.

There are still plenty of questions that need to be answered ahead of Inside’s debut on ESPN. As a longtime fan of the show, I’m glad the show is returning, but I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t a bit anxious about what’s being planned. Hopefully, the series isn’t shaken up too much and its quartet of co-hosts remain happy with their situation.

Inside the NBA returns this fall amid the 2025 TV schedule to coincide with the NBA season. Believe me when I say I’ll be waiting intently to see more antics from Charles Barkley, Shaq and co.

Charles Barkley and Shaquille O’Neal’s dynamic makes for one of the most entertaining aspects of Inside the NBA. For years now, the two have shared laughs together on air and traded verbal jabs from time to time. The two share a kinship, though, which was established during their days as NBA players. O’Neal was recently asked about his relationship with Barkley and had no problem sharing love for him. At the same time, the Magic-turned-Lakers player also shared a funny story involving his mother and Barkley’s mom as well.

It goes without saying that the aforementioned hall-of-fame basketball veterans are both larger-than-life personalities, which makes it so entertaining whenever they do clash. Ryan Clark is aware of the dynamic between Shaq and “Chuck” as well as how they interact with their Inside co-hosts, Ernie Johnson and Kenny Smith. Clark went on to flat-out ask if he likes Barkely. The Diesel confirmed that he does like his on-screen partner, who actually makes Shaq remember one thing he doesn’t have:

Despite that, Shaquille O’Neal went on to explain during the interview (a portion of which is on X) that he and Charles Barkley have come to blows before. O’Neal illustrated that by recalling one particularly iconic in-game skirmish, which took place in 1999. At the time, Barkley was playing for the Houston Rockets, while O’Neal was with the Lakers. The brawl began after Barkley threw a ball at O’Neal, who got him with a hard foul. That’s what viewers saw on TV, but what they didn’t see was how their moms intervened after Shaq retaliated:

The four-time NBA champion went on to say that Charles Barkley had also spoken to his mother by that point. So when Shaq and Barkley later met in the hallway, all they could do was laugh in regard to the fact that they share the “mama’s boy” title. Both men have certainly found common ground since then. They’ve participated in numerous antics on Inside the NBA to the point where a viral Shaq/Barkley clip circulated when it seemed the show would be canceled. On top of that, the two motivate each other, with O’Neal joking that he realized he needed to lose weight after gaining a physique similar to Barkley’s.

Put simply, there are too many great moments between the two to even mention. From Shaq chastising Chuck about not knowing what it means to “slide into the DMs” to Barkley roasting the big man for needing to use the bathroom amid a telecast, there’s a lot of history here. They have a firm relationship, which Shaq went on to perfectly sum up:

You’d be hard-pressed to find two people who seem to have as close a bond as Charles Barkley and Shaquille O’Neal. As a fan of both of them, I’m hopeful that their relationship will continue to endure. I also hope to see that dynamic manifest even more on Inside the NBA, which will return this fall amid the 2025 TV schedule.

For much of 2024, Inside the NBA’s future seemed to be in jeopardy, as TNT’s long-running sports talk show was at risk of being cancelled. That was due to parent company Warner Bros. Discovery was unable to renew its broadcast rights to the pro basketball league. However, a historic deal was later struck between TNT Sports and ESPN, which will air the show, starting this fall. Charles Barkley and others have still questioned the series’ position on the Disney-owned sports network and, now, its president is speaking out.

News of Inside the NBA being saved was warmly welcomed by the fans but, internally, there have been some variables to consider. Much of that involves exactly how the series’ four co-hosts – Ernie Johnson, Kenny Smith, Shaquille O’Neal and Charles Barkley – will be utilized. There was even a question as to whether the hosting lineup may be shuffled around due to the show being on a new network. While addressing Front Office Sports and more at a press briefing, ESPN Inc. President Jimmy Pitaro apparently soothed concerns:

That prospect is sure to come as a comfort to those who want to see all four hosts remain on the show. Over the last several months, reports indicated that deals were being finalized in order to ensure that the talent was signed on for a while. In February, Shaq notably signed a major deal worth $15 million per year, which would ensure that he remains with TNT Sports for the long haul. When it comes to his fellow hall of famer and occasional verbal sparring partner, Charles Barkley, the situation has been a bit more complex.

A lot can change in the course of a year as, around this time in 2024, Charles Barkley announced that he would retire from sports broadcasting at the end of the 2024-2025 NBA season regardless of Inside’s fate. However, “The Round Mound of Rebound” walked back his retirement decision in August of that same year, later explaining that he was doing so to save jobs. Simultaneously, Barkley was critical of his employers for supposedly dropping the ball (no pun intended) when it came to renewing its NBA broadcast rights.

Since the show was saved, “Sir Charles” has been singing a somewhat different tune, even making jokes about having to go back to “kissing ass.” Nevertheless, Barkley suggested in September 2024 that his future wasn’t set in stone, even though he aimed to return to the broadcasting desk. The biggest point of contention in that case was that, at the time, he’d yet to receive a schedule from ESPN, and he declared that he had no intention of working more strenuously than he had at TNT.

ESPN and TNT Sports’ deal, which was announced in November 2024, allows the latter entity to licence out Inside the NBA to the former. As part of the agreement, the fan-favorite show will continue to be produced independently from its studios in Atlanta. Per the original press release, Inside’s four hosts will also be involved with pregame, halftime and postgame coverage along with NBA Finals and Christmas day coverage among other events.

So, based on Jimmy Pitaro’s comments, the plan is indeed for Charles Barkley and co. to stay together. However, even though Barkley is signed on, his own sentiments suggest that to keep him happy, he’ll need a schedule that’s iron-clad. The current NBA season has yet to end, so it’s possible that some of those details will be ironed out during the offseason, if not sooner.

Every episode, the panel of Inside The NBA gives us more reasons to be thankful that it will be back next season. For now, the crew remains on TNT as they discuss the ongoing NBA playoffs, when they aren't rushing to find the nearest restroom. Yes, unfortunately, Shaquille O'Neal had a bathroom emergency, and of course, Charles Barkley and others were roasting him as the Hall-of-Famer waddled off camera.

Kenny "The Jet" Smith was in the middle of talking about Kawhi Leonard when his co-host got up without explanation and started quickly making his way toward the studio exit. And the hilarious moment, complete with Charles Barkley telling Shaq to "bring some matches" as the seven-footer hustled off, can be watched below!

Just two months after hearing the most disgusting poop story involving Shaquille O'Neal, it seems he's getting some humiliating karma. Of all the people I'd hate to have something embarrassing happen around, Sir Charles Barkley might be the worst on the list. He's liable to say just about anything, even if cameras are rolling. The city of San Antonio knows this well, as well as Shaq, who likely knew he was going to get flamed the moment he stood up.

For those curious about what the "olive oil" trend the panel was talking about, this has been covered by Glamour and other websites raving about the health benefits of a shot of extra-virgin olive oil a day. Doing this for a week or two can allegedly improve heart health, reduce body inflammation, and, yes, digestion. I think we've seen the downsides of doing this, so be sure to always have access to a bathroom if you attempt this.

With every viral moment, Ernie Johnson's comment about being a "rogue traffic cop" on the show makes more sense. Inside The NBA frequently walks the line between being an analytical show about basketball and a free-for-all sideshow that covers everything from Drake's rap feuds to other notable happenings in pop culture.

As previously mentioned, Inside The NBA will leave TNT at the end of this season and split time between ESPN and ABC at the start of next season. For now, it seems the core lineup will remain intact, though fans have wondered if any other ESPN pundits like Stephen A. Smith, Kendrick Perkins, and more will join the fold and try to trade jabs with Shaq and Charles Barkley. I'm skeptical the networks won't want to try and disrupt the magic of the program, but we'll see what happens.

Continue to watch Inside The NBA on TNT as the NBA playoffs continue and we see who will become the champion this season. A lot of teams have a shot at the title, so don't be surprised if Shaq needs to take a few more impromptu bathroom breaks because he's too busy watching the games.

Charles Barkley has garnered quite the reputation amid his decades-long broadcasting career. He can dish out thoughtful takes on the biggest developments in the world of professional sports, but he’s also known to be a bit of a loose cannon at times. “Sir Charles” is known to say wild things (both on and off camera), and his co-workers at TNT are surely aware of that. As Barkley continues to share his blunt opinions on Inside the NBA, it would seem his colleagues are concerned about something he does when he’s not on the air.

When he’s not on chopping it up with the likes of Shaquille O’Neal, Ernie Johnson and more on Inside, the “Chuckster” is known to participate in a few extracurricular activities. That includes paying visits to The Dan Patrick Show, where he regales the eponymous host with stories. Additionally, the former hall of famer also weighs in on some of the biggest topics of the day, and he doesn’t hold back at times. Adam Lefkoe just appeared on Patrick’s show, where he discussed the network’s thoughts on Chuck’s frequent visits to the show:

Adam Lefkoe’s demeanor during the chat, which is on YouTube, seems to be somewhat jokey. However, I still get the sense that there are some at TNT that express true concern when they know the former Phoenix Sun is going to appear on the talk show. Such trepidation is understandable, considering the player-turned-broadcaster’s past appearances. When he’s been on the show, he’s discussed a wide range of topics, from his gambling habits to the details of his future with Inside the NBA. The contract talk and other business talk is probably what would concern the network the most.

When it comes to the reason for Charles Barkley’s apparent willingness to be so open with Dan Patrick, the host discussed that with Adam Lefkoe. Patrick explained that he conducted an interview with Barkley during his playing day and that they’ve been close ever since. Patrick went on to shed further light on the dynamics of his conversations with the Round Mound of Rebound:

Throughout 2024, Charles Barkley was particularly vocal about Inside the NBA, which seemed to be headed for cancellation. Said development was due to TNT’s parent company (Warner Bros Discovery) seemingly being outbid for the broadcast rights to the NBA. After that, Barkley publicly criticized his employers for not getting a deal done and, at one point, he even pulled a journalist into an elevator for an unauthorized interview to discuss the matter. Eventually, WBD and ESPN reached a licensing agreement for the show.

Chances are that Dan Patrick will continue to have conversations with good buddy Charles Barkley for the foreseeable future. With that, TNT will just have to watch closely as one of its brightest stars continues to speak his mind. The powers that be could, of course, impose some kind of rules but, as long as Barkley and Patrick’s chats don’t get too off the rails, I’d theorize that execs won’t have major issues. Plus, as Barkley himself said on air, after the ESPN deal, he’s “gotta go back to kissing ass.”

Charles Barkley once said it's his chemistry with his co-hosts that makes Inside The NBA a success, and this latest clip of Sir Charles' March Madness analysis is proof of it. Barkley has been working pregame and halftime shows alongside Ernie Johnson and Kenny Smith during the NCAA Men's basketball tournament, and even without Shaquille O'Neal in the mix, they're delivering gut-busting viral moments that are part and parcel to their NBA show.

Ernie Johnson was ready to break down the first half of the Illinois and Xavier game, and kicked it over to Sir Charles to get his thoughts about what transpired. The only problem? Barkley wasn't actually watching that particular game, which he admitted much to the joy of the rest of the panel. For anyone potentially worried Inside The NBA's move from TNT to ESPN might hurt its quality, I think this clip from them on CBS helps to quell such fears.

I'm not sure many sports analysts could so easily get away with admitting they were watching a different game than the one they're meant to be talking about, at least while still managing to keep one's job. Charles Barkley is a rare breed of commentator, though, who can take shots at Jay-Z, or not be familiar with player's names during a halftime show, and everyone still loves it.

In his defense, I think it's fair to say there was a ton of interest in watching Michigan State take on Bryant. There is a belief that the two-seed Spartans might shock the world by winning the NCAA Men's Tournament over other top seeds like Duke and Florida. Now, did Barkley need to be so locked in on a game that was ultimately won by 25 points? I'll leave that for the reader to decide.

Ernie Johnson once said he felt like a traffic cop when working on Inside The NBA, and I've never felt that statement more than in this latest moment with Charles Barkley. What could've been an embarrassing moment for the program was spun into television gold as the panel roasted the former NBA star for not doing the one thing he was there to do that evening.

While March Madness is fleeting, I am happy that the NBA season and postseason are on the way, so we can get more wild moments with Charles Barkley and the rest of the crew. I am a little bummed we don't get any of Shaquille O'Neal in the mix on the March Madness crew, and goodness knows he could use some extra money after how much he lost on the Jake Paul fight.

Catch Inside The NBA's final season on TNT when it resumes and makes the jump to ESPN and ABC for the next season. Charles Barkley has joked about the panel having to go back to "kissing ass," but I would reckon they'll be up to the same antics and stunts on a new network considering how this tournament coverage is going.

Since 1989, sportscaster Ernie Johnson has hosted Inside the NBA on TNT and shared his insights on professional basketball. Over the past several decades, Johnson has been joined by other panelists who provide their takes as well. Johnson is currently joined by Kenny “The Jet” Smith, Charles Barkley and Shaquille O’Neal. The quartet are fun for fans to watch, you have to wonder what it’s like for Johnson to actually work with those three big personalities. Well, he’s opening up about that and doing so in a hilarious way.

It goes without saying that of the four hosts on Inside, Ernie Johnson is easily the most reserved. Yet the 68-year-old TV industry veteran wasn’t his typical laid-back self (for just a little while) during his appearance on The Draymond Green Show. Co-host Baron Davis (who, like Green, has appeared as a fill-in host on the TNT show) asked Johnson what it’s like having to control the chaos that comes with his co-hosts’ larger-than-life personalities. To that end, Johnson explained in the YouTube video that it can go a few ways:

Kenny Smith joined the series in 1998, while Charles Barkley was added to the broadcaster’s table in 2000. And, since 2011, the show has also featured Shaq, who struggled early on to adjust to the format. In that time, the group has created TV magic, contributing to some truly funny on-air moments. Shaq and Barkley’s antics are particularly beloved by audiences, including their humorous back-and-forths and A+ jokes.

I can’t even imagine having to go through the process of “reading the room” while preparing for a broadcast with the likes of Sir Charles and co. Yet Ernie Johnson manages to maintain his composure, even when the series goes off the rails, much to the delight of viewers. As for how the six-time sports Emmy winner would sum up his job on the talk show, he described it in the perfect way:

The TNT Sports veteran may lament some of his co-star’s habits, but there are teams when even he can’t help but laugh at what they do. Check out this clip from an “On The Clock” segment that’s since become revered by fans:

Considering how much fun the hosts have on set and how successful the show has been, it’s wild to think that it nearly came to an end last year. Inside the NBA faced cancellation due to Warner Bros. Discovery’s (TNT’s parent company) losing out on the rights to the league. Around that same time, Ernie Johnson gave an emotional Emmys speech that had me in my feelings. Thankfully, though, following corporate negotiations (and wild statements from Charles Barkley), WBD reached a historic deal with ESPN to licence out the show starting this coming fall.

So Ernie Johnson can likely expect more on-air shenanigans as Inside the NBA’s run continues. While it’s funny to see the group taking the piss out of each other, it’s abundantly clear that they truly care for each other. Johnson’s colleagues surely love him, and he feels the same way – no matter how wild his buddies get.

The past year was somewhat turbulent for TNT Sports’ Inside the NBA, which faced cancellation for a good portion of 2024. Said situation was due to the company’s deal for the broadcast rights to the league being up for re-negotiation. It seemed as though Inside would come to an end as a result, but the show was saved when TNT and ESPN struck a historic deal to license out the show. Despite that, co-host Charles Barkley has been cagey on his future, and he’s now set the record straight about his further career in TV.

Despite the ESPN deal, back in December, Charles Barkley said he hadn’t solidified his future with Inside. The former basketball player explained, at the time, that he was going to hear out offers from entities like Amazon and NBC, who are set to begin serving up NBA content starting this coming fall. Barkley broached the topic of his career during a recent episode of his and Ernie Johnson’s The Steam Room podcast (via NBA Central on X). Considering what the ex-Phoenix Sun said, it would appear he’s changed his tune:

That sounds like a definitive answer and one that is sure to excite fans of TNT’s long-running sports talk show, which debuted in 1989. Sir Charles began co-anchoring the program in 2000 and has since become a beloved media personality. As the Round Mound of Rebound further explained, he’s met with ESPN and says the team is “amazing.” However, he also further emphasized one requirement he has for this new era in the series, and it’s the same one he brought up when he previously discussed his uncertainty about re-signing:

When Inside the NBA’s survival seemed unlikely, Charles Barkley said some wild things in regard to his employers. He previously declared that the situation “sucks” for his co-workers who aren’t fortunate enough to have the financial stability that he has. Barkley even gave an unauthorized interview in an elevator, during which he tried to explain why the show’s demise would be a big deal. By June 2024, the 11-time All-Star announced his intention to retire from broadcasting in summer 2025 regardless of what happened. However, even before the ESPN deal was struck, he walked back his retirement talk.

The Philadelphia 76ers veteran’s latest address further emphasizes his desire for a healthy work-life balance, as this new chapter in Inside the NBA’s history is set to kick off this coming fall. One would hope that he and the execs manage to reach a work schedule that best fits the 61-year-old broadcaster’s needs. I’d imagine that because he’s been so vital to the show over the years, the powers that be will certainly hear him out.

For right now, though, I’m just pleased to hear that Charles Barkley does indeed want to remain with TNT – and by extension, ESPN – for the foreseeable future. Let’s be honest, it just wouldn’t be the same without him.

Travis Kelce continues to make news practically daily both on and off the football field, as his Kansas City Chiefs are one win away from their third consecutive Super Bowl and with Swifties everywhere on engagement watch a year and a half into his relationship with Taylor Swift. Meanwhile, Jason Kelce has turned to broadcasting post-retirement, and he shared a hilarious story about his brother telling people his name his name was “Charles,” after Charles Barkley, when he was a kid. Well, in a strange twist, it turns out that the NBA great had wanted to be called “Travis.” Let’s break down this wild coincidence.

As A Child, Travis Kelce Told People His Name Was ‘Charles’

Travis Kelce is just the gift that keeps on giving, and fans sure are lucky he has a brother who keeps popping up on the 2025 TV schedule with fun stories from their childhood. The New Heights’ Twitter account posted a clip of Jason talking about his brother on ESPN’s Postseason NFL Countdown ahead of the Chiefs’ January 18 playoff game against the Texans (which Kansas City won), where he said of Travis:

I can only imagine their mom Donna Kelce’s reaction to hearing the other neighborhood parents make comments about “Charles,” and it’s actually so cute that Travis wanted to honor his basketball idol in that way. Also, it’s not like he was asking people to call him “The Round Mound of Rebound” or even “Sir Charles,” as the two-time Olympic gold medalist did.

That’s not where the story ends, either, as it turns out the Inside the NBA anchor used to covet Travis Kelce’s name.

Charles Barkley Asked To Change His Name To ‘Travis’

They say don’t meet your heroes, but thank goodness Travis Kelce did eventually get to hang out with Charles Barkley, because otherwise we’d never know about this fun name game they’ve got going on. On a June 2023 episode of New Heights, the Kelce brothers relayed the story of Travis' childhood nickname of sorts, and the NBA player added a twist with his own memory, saying:

Oh my Lord, poor grandpa catching strays! That is absolutely too much, with Charles Barkley telling his mom that his grandfather was the perfect example of why “Charles ain’t gonna get it done.” To this day Barkley has a fondness for the moniker, as he continued:

That’s got to be a pretty amazing thing for Travis Kelce to hear, and he’s no doubt hoping to prove Charles Barkley’s words true, as he prepares to take the field against the Buffalo Bills in the AFC Championship Game at 6:30 p.m. ET Sunday, January 26, on CBS and streaming with a Paramount+ subscription.

A debate’s been taking place as of late in regard to the state of the NBA amid the 2025 TV schedule. The league is currently dealing with ratings issues amid a reported decrease in public interest. Los Angles Lakers coach JJ Redick opined that intensely negative comments from media pundits are a contributing factor. That led sportscaster Charles Barkley to clap back and share some blunt thoughts on Redick and his job. Since Redick responded, fellow pundit Stephen A. Smith has weighed in on the matter with thoughts of his own.

Stephen A. Smith broached the topic on his eponymous talk show, of which episodes are posted to YouTube among other platforms. During the episode, he recalled past remarks regarding the notion that TNT’s Inside the NBA “messed up the game of basketball” by sharing “ultra critical” takes on the players and state of the game. Well, Smith calls “BS” on the notion of such commentary affecting the ratings, and he explained why he feels that way:

The Lakers – who hold a 20-16 and are in sixth place in the Western Conference, as of this writing – have had their ups and downs this year and have been chastised in some circles. Sports and Pokémon aficionado Stephen A. Smith seems to hold the opinion that the coach shouldn’t place blame on talk show hosts for any shortcomings that the league has. After talking about the various rule changes and common tendencies that accompany NBA games, Smith shared some more sentiments:

As someone who’s watched the nearly canceled Inside the NBA for years now, I can agree that the excitable hosts can sometimes become boisterous. Ultimately, though, they don’t seem to make a situation personal on air. One could certainly argue that some pundits do go in quite hard, though whether that truly impacts fan’s perceptions of the league can’t be said with certainty.

This season marks former player JJ Redick’s first as an NBA head coach, as he was hired during the summer of 2024 to replace his fired predecessor, Darvin Ham. Redick – a former sportscaster and podcaster himself – has expressed his commitment to the Lakers as well as the LA community. That’s been more than evident as of late amid the ongoing fires in Southern California, from which Redick and his family sadly lost their home. Nevertheless, he and his team have exuded resilience in the face of tragedy.

When it comes to Coach Redick’s war of words with Charles Barkley, that situation has seemingly subsided. The discussion regarding the aforementioned sports league’s decline in ratings continues, though. As a fan, I’m curious as to how other pundits may share their two cents about the contributing factors as Barkley and Stephen A. Smith have.

Those who’ve seen at least a few of Timothée Chalamet’s best movies might agree that the young actor possesses phenomenal range. Despite that, I was somewhat surprised by a recent role he pitched for himself. Upon being asked if he could do another biopic after playing Bob Dylan in A Complete Unknown, Chalamet said he’d be up to play Ernie Johnson in an Inside the NBA production. The hosts of the long-running TNT program have since reacted to the actor’s comments, and Charles Barkley’s take really has me laughing.

I have to admit that when I heard the Call Me by Your Name star was open to portraying “EJ” in some capacity, I was somewhat thrown off. However, now I can’t stop thinking about the possibility as both a fan of the sports talk show and the 29-year-old actor. As it so happens, I’m not the only one who’s enthusiastic about the prospect of such a production as well. Ernie Johnson reacted to the idea enthusiastically while discussing it on a recent episode of Inside, of which a clip was shared on Instagram:

Funny enough, Ernie Johnson’s wife, Cheryl, also shared a funny video, in which she suggested that after hearing the comments, her hubby suggested they go see A Complete Unknown. And his alleged reason for that was so that he could see how the Interstellar alum might play him. While the sportscaster explained that he already wanted to see the movie given his Bob Dylan fandom, he still commended the lead actor’s work. Quite frankly, I love these sentiments and the fact that Johnson is so excited.

Someone who was humorously less than impressed, though, was Charles Barkley. The outspoken pundit, who’s been trading verbal jabs with JJ Redick as of late, seemed to find the whole situation somewhat annoying. He conveyed those very thoughts while also pointing to a similar situation from last year involving co-host Kenny Smith and the Little Women cast member:

I’d certainly expect a reaction like this from the man who previously said wild things about Inside the NBA amid its potential cancellation controversy. I’ll say that I do appreciate Sir Charles’ typical (and brutal) honesty. His comments won’t deter me from thinking that an Inside the NBA biopic starring Mr. Chalamet wouldn’t be worthwhile. After all, the Oscar nominee did indeed crush it as Bob Dylan, with critics raving about his “playfully off-kilter” performance. Not only that, but the A-lister just recently filmed the A24 sports biopic Marty Supreme, in which he plays the titular role.

At this point, the likelihood of an Inside biopic seems to be slim but, if you’d like it to happen, keep those fingers crossed. There’s no doubt in my mind that the Lady Bird actor could effectively channel Ernie Johnson. Now, I’m just wondering who could play the rest of the team and just how Charles Barkley would react to someone throwing their name in the ring to play him.

While you wait for movement on such an endeavor, head to your local cinema to see Timothée Chalamet’s performance as Bob Dylan in A Complete Unknown.

Charles Barkley is known for being a person who calls it as he sees it, and that’s especially the case when it comes to his commentary on the NBA. The former player and veteran sportscaster recently went on a major tirade while discussing the Los Angeles Lakers. At the time, Barkley was responding to comments made by the team’s coach, JJ Redick, and he proceeded to question the man’s job security and more. Reddick has since weighed in on Barkley’s latest sentiments and was fairly direct upon doing so.

During a recent interview, JJ Redick discussed the somewhat shaky status of professional basketball, opining that negative takes from media pundits are harmful to fan perception. Sir Charles didn’t take too kindly to those thoughts and, during an episode of Inside the NBA, he called out Redick for arguing that he and his colleagues were one reason why fans aren’t tuning in for games as often. The pundit also declared Redick to be a “dead man walking” job-wise and said that the Lakers “stink.”

The California-based basketball organization hosted the Atlanta Hawks this past Friday night and ultimately clinched a 119-102 victory that brought their record to 20-14. Before the game, their aforementioned coach spoke to the press, during which Charles Barkley’s comments came up. According to ESPN, the former Orlando Magic player admitted to not being all that fazed by the comments Barkley made:

JJ Redick’s response seems to indicate that he’s not interested in engaging in a back-and-forth with the hall of famer. As of right now, he’s currently still contending with his first year as an NBA head coach. Redick was hired by the team in June 2024 shortly after the dismissal of his successor, Darvin Ham, after two seasons. What’s been noted by various pundits since Redick’s hiring is the fact that he has no prior experience as a coach. Nevertheless, with their record, the squad now sits in fourth place in the Western Conference, as of this writing.

During his broadcasting career, Charles Barkley has certainly engaged in wars of words with some notable names in the league. Golden State Warriors veteran Draymond Green had issues with Barkley and addressed them while reacting to the pundit’s retirement comments in 2024. Barkley’s thoughts can certainly generate mixed feelings from players, coaches and fans alike. However, one could also argue that it’s the former league MVP’s tendency not to mince words that’s made him such a popular figure in the TV industry.

It’s interesting that job security would come up most recently, given that the Round Mound of Rebound himself was facing an uncertain professional future last year. For a while, it seemed that Inside the NBA would be canceled but, even amid that, the ex-Houston Rocket announced his plans to retire from broadcasting at the end of the 2024-2025 TV season. Months later, though, he walked back his retirement declaration, and it was confirmed months later that Inside would remain on the air due to a deal struck between TNT and ESPN.

Apparently, Charles Barkley is still weighing job options, but it seems likely that he’ll remain on air in some capacity and continue to voice his opinions for the foreseeable future. With that, it’s very possible that this won’t be the final time this year or during a future season that he calls out the Lakers or another team. In the meantime, we’ll have to wait and see if Barkley responds to JJ Redick’s latest comments.

Charles Barkley has never been one to pull his punches. The Hall of Famer and all-time great commentator hasn’t been shy about voicing his displeasure with the current NBA product. Recently, some other members of the media and Lakers Coach JJ Redick have called him out for his negativity, and last night, The Round Mound Of Rebound fired back in typical fashion.

Hot off getting family photos with the rest of the guys done, Barkley was on Inside The NBA when the subject of JJ Redick came up. He, of course, did not hold back, launching into a diatribe about how he’s not the one “jacking up a hundred threes a night” and how JJ should be concerned about his job security because the Lakers have fired their last two coaches and now he’s the next in line putting “makeup on that pig.” You can check out his full quote below, which is widely circulating on social media…

Now, to say Redick went after Barkley would be a little disingenuous. There has been a lot of talk recently about how NBA ratings have been down quite a bit over the past few years. The conversation has gotten so loud that even league officials have commented on the record about it recently. As part of this conversation, Jason McIntyre, co-host of The Herd with Colin Cowherd, said Inside The NBA has done “more damage” to the NBA over the last decade than anything else. Video of his comments went viral on social media, and they only accelerated the conversation.

Redick was asked about his take on what’s going on, and he gave a pretty thoughtful four minute answer that pointed to a lot of different factors. He talked about the rise of streaming services and how hard it is for some fans to figure out how to watch the product in their local markets. He talked about how he doesn’t necessarily agree with the narrative about how the game is being played because while three point attempts are way up, so are attempts close to the basket, meaning what we’ve actually lost are long two point attempts. And finally, he talked about how he feels the media, as a group, is too negative, and it likely impacts fan perception. Here’s that portion of his quote…

I think a lot of this comes down to what you perceive the job of a commentator like Charles Barkley to be. Is it his job, as someone doing halftime analysis and post-game to hype up the players and try to sell the league? Or is it his job to just open his mouth and say whatever he wants?

It’s definitely true that the Inside The NBA guys are often negative about the product they’re watching (and even their own bosses), but as someone who consumes a lot of NBA content, I feel like they’re saying exactly what I want them to say. I don’t like watching guys take a step back three with a hand in their face. I didn’t enjoy watching the Bulls and Hornets miss a combined 75 three pointers a few weeks ago. I want them to call these things out, and to me, it’s the reason why Inside The NBA has been the best studio show for the last decade (and probably why Timothee Chalamet wants to play co-host Ernie Johnson in a biopic).

But I also understand where Redick is coming from. The NBA has a problem right now. Ratings are down, and there’s a lot of negativity surrounding the game. Some of that negativity is absolutely valid. A lot of people, myself included, like to watch defense. They like to watch physical play. They like to watch ball movement. And there are a significant number of NBA games right now that don’t have enough of any of it. I don’t know if they need to move the three point line back or they need to let players be a little more physical on defense, but something needs to change.

At the same time though, that’s not every NBA game. There are a lot of fantastic games still being played, and as Redick pointed out in his full quote, there are more different styles of basketball being played than people are giving the league credit for. Not every team has assembled a roster that’s entirely constructed around jacking up three pointers. The league (and perhaps the commentators) have done a poor job of telling that story.

As for the job security of both men, I think they’ll probably be fine, at least for a little while. Inside The NBA, which was written off as imminently cancelled after TNT lost the rights to air NBA games, was given a last minute reprieve by ESPN. Barkley, Shaquille O’Neal, Kenny Smith and Ernie Johnson will continue to work for TNT, but their show will be broadcast on ESPN as part of a financial agreement between the two networks (at least as long as they can work out scheduling issues).

And while it’s unclear whether things will work out long-term in Los Angeles, I’m pretty confident Redick will get at least a few years to try and make it work. He’s a widely respected basketball mind around the league, and while the Lakers have had some significantly struggles this season, they’ve won seven of their last ten and seem to be figuring some things out.

Charles Barkley solidified himself as one of the most outspoken players in the NBA, as the hall of famer had no problem sharing words with critics on the court or during a press conference. That no-holds-barred personality has since remained intact amid his broadcasting career (and was evident when he said wild things about Inside the NBA’s apparent cancellation). Despite his persona, Barkley is actually something of a softie, and those who need evidence of that should know the sweet reason he sometimes rushes home from TNT early.

Aside from being one of the most iconic athletes of all time, Sir Charles is also a proud family man. Someone who usually speaks fondly of is his daughter, Christiana, who he shares with his wife of over 30 years, Maureen. Christiana is also the mother of two children, Henry and Charlie (her grandfather’s namesake), whom she shares with husband Ilya Hoffman. The 61-year-old media personality is quite close with his two grandchildren, who call him “Big Pop,” and he explained that he and his grandson have established a cute routine:

The former Philadelphia 76er explained on The Mark Jackson Show that these outings usually start with his daughter FaceTiming him and then putting Henry on the phone. During those conversations, Henry will eventually ask his grandfather to hurry home from work so that they can hang out. If that’s not a great reason for the sports legend to make his way back home as quickly as possible on a daily basis, then I don’t know what is. During his recent interview (which is on YouTube), the media pundit spoke more about being a grandparent:

It’s interesting to think that earlier this year, it was looking like Charles Barkley was going to have even more free time to spend with his grandchildren and the rest of his family. Around May of this past year, it appeared that TNT’s Inside the NBA would be canceled due to the network’s agreement with the eponymous sports deal seemingly not being renewed. Weeks later, Barkley announced his intention to retire from broadcasting in 2025, whether a deal was struck or not. However, he eventually walked back the retirement talk in August, as he opted to stay with the network and save jobs in the process.

That situation improved in November, when TNT Sports struck a deal to license out Inside to ESPN. It was a historic agreement that’ll begin with the 2025-2026 NBA season and span 11 years. The Round Mound of Rebound was initially critical of his employers for not getting a deal done, but he eventually gave them kudos (in his own signature way). The ex-Phoenix Sun even joked during a recent episode of the sports talk show that it was time to start “kissing ass” again.

Given his work situation, it seems that Charles Barkley is going to have to balance his professional and personal lives for the foreseeable future. I’d imagine, however, that Barkley is still going to carve out time for his loving grandkids. After all, I’m not quite sure Henry is going to let Big Pop miss their after-school hangouts.

A portion of sports fans (myself included) were devastated earlier this year when it seemed like TNT’s long-running sports talk show, Inside the NBA, would be canceled due to the network losing the broadcast rights to the league. However, in November, the aforementioned network struck a deal with ESPN to keep the show on the air beyond this current season. It’s an exciting prospect, though it seems co-host Charles Barkley’s future with the program isn’t set in stone just yet, and he’s still waiting for one thing in that regard.

The 61-year-old media pundit and former basketball player has never been one to hold back his thoughts on a given topic, and that’s extended to his work at TNT Sports and Turner Broadcasting. More recently, “Sir Charles” appeared on The Dan Patrick Show, where the eponymous host asked him whether his current contract would carry over to ESPN. When responding, the hall of famer shared some honest thoughts:

Such comments may be a little worrisome to those who enjoy Charles Barkley and Shaq’s antics on Inside the NBA. Despite that, the no-nonsense sports personality’s take is surely reasonable. He has a lot of offers before him, and he’d understandably want to choose the one that best benefits him personally. The financial aspect is only one element to consider, though. As Barkley went on to explain in the video posted to X, there’s something more practical that he’d like to receive from all of his potential employers at this point:

After Dan Patrick – a former ESPN employee – opined that the Round Mound of Rebound might be working more than he thinks he will, the former athlete said they weren’t going to work him like a “damn dog.” This is clearly a man who knows what he wants and doesn’t want as far as a workplace is concerned. It shouldn’t be all that surprising to hear such pointed thoughts from the fan-favorite sportscaster, given the other wild things he’s said about Inside the NBA as of late. In all honesty, it seemed that he was going to try to stay in his current employer's good graces, as he recently joked that it was time to start “kissing ass” again following the new deal.

It’s funny to think that earlier this year, it seemed that Charles Barkley was moving away from the TV business. This past June, Barkley announced that he would retire from broadcasting at the end of 2024-2025 NBA season regardless of whether Inside was saved. However, months later, Barkley walked back his retirement talk, after agreeing to a new deal with TNT. The belief has been that Barkley’s future with the show he’s long co-hosted would be assured but, following his latest comments, that doesn’t seem to be the case.

Not only that, but it’s also been alleged that Shaquille O’Neal feels uneasy, because he doesn’t have a new deal in place. Whether or not we should truly be concerned about Shaq and Charles Barkley staying on the show with Ernie Johnson and Kenny Smith is hard to say at this point. Yet, as a fan, I’m definitely hoping that the logistics are figured out sooner rather than later. Also, can someone please get Barkley that schedule he’s asking for?

What a wild year it’s been for everyone working on Inside The NBA. The beloved talking head show that features Charles Barkley, Shaquille O’Neal, Kenny Smith and Ernie Johnson talking basketball went from in danger of being cancelled to cancelled to licensed to another network after TNT lost the rights to air NBA games. Yet, throughout all the highs and lows, they somehow remained an absolute delight to watch, and in typical Inside The NBA fashion, they just surprised fans with the perfect way to close out the year: family photos.

That’s right. Anyone who follows Inside The NBA on social media was gifted a fantastic Christmas surprise yesterday, as the show dropped an album of photos the hosts took together. All dressed in Christmas sweaters, the guys hit all the classic mall photographer poses, including looking up and away from the camera, simultaneously screaming and my personal favorite, leaning in opposite directions. Check out this festive magic below…

All four guys on Inside The NBA have terrific basketball minds. They’re all capable of breaking down plays and talking out strategy changes various coaches should make, but that’s like twenty-five percent of why the show is so freakin’ great. The main thing that works so well is the chemistry between them. They all roast each other like they’re a group of friends hanging out, but you can tell it’s with love in their hearts.

They’re just so overtly having a good time that it makes you want to be a part of it. And that comes through in these family photos. I mean these aren’t even the only ones the guys took. The show also dropped some outtakes on X, clearly because they hung around and took a ton of extra photos while laughing their asses off. Check out the looks on their faces in this one…

It’s infuriating to think we almost lost Inside The NBA, and the truth is we seem to have come so close. It all started with the NBA rights package coming to an end. TNT has long broadcast NBA games a few nights a week, and the Inside The NBA crew typically surrounds the games, offering their thoughts on what’s going on. Unfortunately, Warner Bros ended up losing the rights to broadcast the NBA starting next season. The crew, especially Charles Barkley, was very open about their disappointment and frustration with Warner Bros management. In fact, fans were openly speculating about how unhinged the commentary might be during its final season without the guys worrying at all about what their bosses thought.

But then we all got a Christmas miracle. ESPN and Warner Bros worked out a deal that would allow Barkley and company to keep working for Warner Bros but broadcast their show on ESPN, where it will once again surround the NBA games. Fans couldn’t be more fired up, and these family photos are a good tease for what we might be in store for next year. I can’t wait.

Few TV personalities are as funny as Charles Barkley, who co-headlines TNT’s Inside the NBA. The media pundit consistently manages to generate humor through his one-of-a-kind takes on sports and his humorous quips. Of course, he also makes people laugh when he doesn’t intend to. While Barkley says wild and funny things, his lack of awareness of a topic can also generate humor. On that note, during a recent episode of the sports talk show, the concept of a group chat had to be explained to Barkley, and his co-stars roasted him for it.

Apparently, during a break from a live broadcast, someone had to assist Charles Barkley with his phone. On air, co-host Kenny Smith confirmed that Barkley asked how someone could text two people simultaneously. Barkley subsequently asserted that he’s “not good with technology” while his co-anchors continue to humorously admonish him for not knowing how to do it. Lucky for you, there’s video of the discussion, and you can check it out in the TikTok post down below:

I have to say that I understand that not everyone is technologically savvy. However, I would’ve assumed that even “Chuck” would’ve been in the know when it came to text threads. Of course, it’s honestly nothing to truly be embarrassed about, as everyone operates at their own pace. Still, I’d be lying if I said I didn’t get some level of pleasure out of seeing the former NBA MVP’s colleagues throw playful jabs at him. Heck, even the mostly reserved Ernie Johnson got in on the fun a bit.

This isn’t the first time that Charles Barkley’s technological prowess – or lack thereof – has been a topic of discussion on Inside. Earlier this year, the group talked about Barkley’s presence on Instagram. During that chat, he revealed that he didn’t understand what it meant to “slide” into someone’s DMs. It goes without saying that this was a very interesting conversation.

While the conversations mentioned thus far have seen the Round Mound of Rebound get roasted, there have been instances this season in which he’s gotten the last laugh. One of those instances was when he humorously referenced TNT organizing Inside the NBA’s move to ESPN next year. The ex-Houston Rocket suggested that with his bosses having kept the show alive, it was time to “go back to kissing ass.” Panelists were also left in stitches after Barkley nodded at Jay-Z’s legal issues on air.

Quite frankly, I’m just glad that fans will still be able to watch more of Charles Barkley’s antics for the foreseeable future. Before ESPN and TNT reached their historic deal for the basketball-centric show, it appeared that Inside the NBA would be canceled. An even greater surprise came this past summer when Barkley announced he’d retire from broadcasting following the 2025-2025 TV season. However, he eventually walked back the retirement comments, revealing that he’d opted to remain with TNT Sports.

So fans still have plenty of opportunities to hear the legendary Philadelphia 76er talk about sports, make jokes and learn about technology. Believe me when I say it’s definitely likely that the third element mentioned will come into play again. And, when it does, I’ll certainly enjoy seeing how it plays out.

As basketball season rolls along amid the 2024 TV schedule, Inside the NBA continues to air. So far, viewers have been treated to the usual antics involving Charles Barkley, Shaquille O’Neal and co. The group of pundits enjoy poking fun at each other but, at times, they can surprise audiences by making a joke at someone else’s expense. In many cases, those can be celebrities and, during the show’s latest installment, Barkley took a jab at Jay-Z’s recent controversy. The quip was brief, but it had the panel cracking up.

What Did Charles Barkley Say About Jay-Z On Air?

The Inside crew had some intense games to discuss this past Tuesday night, and there were some spirited debates as a result. And, of course, the jokes were flying as well. At one point, Kenny “The Jet” Smith attempted to make a point and evoked the “99 Problems” rapper’s name. That’s when the Round Mound of Rebound tapped Smith on the arm and offered a word of advice to him. Check out the X clip to see exactly what "Chuck" said that left his co-stars laughing:

It’s no surprise to see Shaq laughing, as he’s known to enjoy a joke, though I can’t say I would’ve expected him to get out of his seat and go into a corner. Also, the fact that Ernie Johnson – who can typically keep his composure when a remark like this one is made – broke definitely tells you something. Few people have Sir Charles’ timing, and he certainly didn’t waste time chiming in when the Grammy winner was mentioned.

This actually isn’t the first time this season that the crew has taken a shot at a celebrity in some shape or form. Just a few weeks ago, guest host Jalen Rose roasted Drake over his drama with Kendrick Lamar. Rose referenced Drake’s recent lawsuit against Lamar and mused that Inside the NBA could be sued as well for playing the latter’s new music on air. That aforementioned legal drama is still in motion as is the drama involving the “Empire State of Mind” singer.

Jay-Z Is Currently Facing A Lawsuit Involving Alleged Sexual Assault

Last weekend, Jay-Z – whose actual name is Shawn Carter – was named as a defendant in a refiled lawsuit involving Sean “P. Diddy” Combs. A Jane Doe alleges that following the MTV Video Music Awards in 2000, both Carter and Combs raped her during a house party when she was 13 years old. Combs’ legal team previously denied the allegations that he’d sexually assaulted a minor, and Carter has denied the claims as well.

Shawn Carter shared a statement after the filing was made public, and he called the allegations both “heinous” and “idiotic.” While sharing thoughts, the entertainer also expressed “heartbreak” over the impact this matter could have on his loved ones. Just earlier this week, Carter attended the premiere of Mufasa: The Lion King alongside his wife, Beyoncé, their daughter, Blue Ivy and his mother-in-law, Tina Knowles. Their collective presence seemed to suggest the family was maintaining a united front.

As Jay-Z continues to make headlines, it’s hard to say how talk show hosts or other pundits might approach or avoid the news. However, based on what happened on the latest Inside the NBA episode, it may be fair to assume that Charles Barkley, Ernie Johnson and co. will opt to steer clear of the topic from this point on.

After cancellation reports swirled around Inside the NBA, the long-running TNT talk show received some good news early in November. The Warner Bros. Discovery-owned network reached a historic deal to syndicate the show on ESPN starting with the 2025-2026 TV season. It’s an exciting development, though it also raises some questions. One of those is whether or not the likes of Charles Barkley or Ernie Johnson could end up co-anchoring with Stephen A. Smith or Kendrick Perkins. Now, insiders are dropping claims about alt-casts.

How Are Alt-Casts Allegedly Being Handled After ESPN And TNT’s Deal?

For those who are unaware of the aforementioned term, alternative broadcasts or “alt-casts” or programs that aim to provide unique coverage of certain events. This particular situation, of course, would involve the coverage of athletic competitions. In the aftermath of ESPN and WBD’s deal for Inside the NBA, it would seem the latter is now holding “early discussions” in regard to the show’s cast being used for other programs. As noted by Front Office Sports, such a move would align with its content strategy.

So, if TNT’s quartet of hosts were to be utilized in such ways, then that would theoretically mean that Charles Barkley could mix it up with Stephen A. Smith on a show like NBA Countdown. With that same thinking, the network could even produce original content that could put Shaquille O’Neal on a panel with Kendrick Perkins or Kenny Smith with Chiney Ogwumike. The possibilities would theoretically be endless in that regard.

As interesting as that all may sound, there’s still the question of whether alt-casts are even possible as far as the Inside the NBA talent is concerned. Well, based on what another source had to say, we may want to slow down when it comes to speculating on cross-pollination amongst panelists.

Why It Might Be Difficult For Alt-Casts To Be Produced?

A source outside of ESPN also told FOS that it may not actually be possible to create alt-casts that utilize the Inside alums. That’s because such productions would apparently breach the deal struck by Disney and Warner Bros. Discovery. Per that agreement, Ernie Johnson and co. remain TNT employees and would only continue to make appearances as part of content related to the network/WBD.

Despite that, there may be a possibility that some kind of workaround or adjustment can be made, especially if there’s legitimate interest. FOS also notes that the always-vocal Charles Barkley could even help to push that initiative forward if he sees fit. However, that’s all purely speculation at this point. It’s also worth noting that since Inside’s future is now set, Barkley is “back to kissing ass” at TNT after months of saying wild things about the show’s fate.

The deal that’s been struck will be in place for 11 years and see ESPN utilize Inside the NBA for various purposes, including coverage of the NBA Finals, Christmas Day games and more. It’s also been stipulated that the show will continue to be produced by TNT Sports and be broadcast from its studio in Atlanta. All four panelists will likely remain in the fold, though it’s been alleged that Shaq is frustrated as he still needs to renew his contract amid the flurry of “congratulations” over the deal.

It was unclear if Inside the NBA would move to another network if TNT lost the broadcast rights to the eponymous basketball league and, as a fan, I’m glad it’ll be sticking around for a while. Personally, I’m also not in dire need of the talent crossing over to different programs. After all, Charles Barkley and Shaq’s antics are wild enough without Stephen A. Smith or any other ESPN talent in the mix.

Earlier this year, TNT’s Inside the NBA was facing cancellation due to a situation between the eponymous sports league and Warner Bros. Discovery. The tide recently changed in a big way, though, as the aforementioned network and its parent company struck a deal with ESPN to keep the show on the air well beyond the 2025 TV schedule. After the news broke, the show’s panelists remained mum on it but, right on cue, Charles Barkley humorously about how the workplace atmosphere has changed due to the new deal.

How Charles Barkley Hilariously Nodded At The Sports Show Being Saved

Inside the NBA returned this past Tuesday for its first broadcast in the aftermath of the big corporate news. For the most part, the show ran as usual, with the gang talking about the latest happenings in professional basketball – in their signature ways. Yet Sir Charles ultimately referenced the recent tension involving the show’s future. As you can see in Awful Announcing’s X post, Barkley believes it’s time to start “kissing ass” again:

Those who are unaware should know that over the past several months Charles Barkley expressed significant disdain for how TNT/Warner Bros. Discovery handled negotiations for the broadcast rights to the NBA. Back in May, Barkley declared that it “suck[ed]” that many of his colleagues would be losing their jobs due to the show ending. The hall of fame basketball player and longtime commentator even went as far as initiating an unauthorized interview in an elevator, where he pleaded his case for his co-workers once more.

As Charles Barkley made wild statements about the state of affairs at Inside the NBA, he also announced that he would retire after the 2024-2025 TV season. However, Barkley eventually walked back his retirement talk, opting to re-sign with TNT Sports in an attempt to save jobs. Still, it now seems that it’s only on the heels of the WBD/Disney agreement that he really feels compelled to play ball again. And, let’s be real, this is indeed a big deal.

What Does TNT And Disney’s Agreement Over Inside The NBA Entail?

The Walt Disney Company reached a historic deal with Warner Bros. Discovery/TNT that will now see Inside the NBA licensed out to ESPN and ABC exclusively for the next 11 years. So, starting with the 2025-2026 season, Inside will air on those two House of Mouse-owned networks, while the series will still be produced by TNT Sports and air from its Atlanta-based studio. With that, co-hosts Ernie Johnson, Kenny Smith, Shaquille O’Neal and the aforementioned “Chuckster” will headline halftime and postgame shows, but that’s not all.

Additionally, Inside will be utilized for coverage of the NBA Finals on ABC as well as the Conference Finals and games scheduled for opening week, Christmas Day, all ABC games after January 1 and the final week of the season. On the other side of this equation, the media personalities will also continue to do other kinds of work for TNT Sports. Aside from providing a way forward for the Emmy-winning talk show, this deal also soothes legal tensions between the NBA and TNT, which sought to sue the legal for allegedly not accepting an offer for one of its broadcast rights packages.

Everything certainly seems to be turning around and, as a longtime Inside the NBA viewer, I’m certainly pleased to know that the show will air for years to come. In the meantime, though, I’m curious as to whether or not Charles Barkley or any of his colleagues might allude to what’s gone down over the past several months. Sure, Barkley claimed that he’ll be kissing butt again but, as history has proven, the Round Mound of Rebound can’t pass up an opportunity to land a jab when it’s presented.

Charles Barkley is known for being one of the best basketball players of all time and for being an outspoken sports pundit. Of course, there’s something else that a portion of the general public has come to know about him. In his spare time, Barkley also enjoys gambling and has been open about his love for it. Fans seem to have mixed feelings about his habits, and the former Philadelphia 76er is aware of that. So, as you’d probably expect, Barkley just shared a totally on-brand response to those who take issue with him placing bets.

The hysterical 61-year-old Inside the NBA host certainly isn’t one for mincing words, especially reacting to backlash of any kind. When he recently appeared on The Dan Patrick Show, the eponymous host asked the Round Mound of Rebound about his finances and whether he’s purchased anything “exotic.” The NBA legend asserted that he doesn’t buy anything extravagant, leading Patrick to quip that he’d have more money if he didn’t gamble. After that, Sir Charles shared the following assessment of his hobby:

So that message is quite clear, and it definitely tracks with the former NBA MVP’s bombastic personality. Charles Barkley, who recently walked back retirement talk, went on to tell Dan Patrick (as seen in the YouTube video) that he’s “gonna gamble” and that he “likes to do it.” The ex-Phoenix Sun also added that his weekends are usually devoted to gambling. Patrick went on to say that he’s “happy” that Barkley has an outlet but added that he’d like for him “to win a little more.” With that, Barkley shared a witty reply:

The 11-time NBA All Star has made his share of not-so-good picks in his time, to be honest. Earlier this year, Charles Barkley spoke about his gambling losses and even shared rough estimations of just how much cash that’s flown out of his pockets due to him betting. He stated that while he’s probably won about $7 million from gambling, he’s probably lost about $25 million. The sheer thought of losing so much cheddar may sound daunting to most people but, then again, Barkley isn’t “most people.”

Considering his expensive extracurricular activities, it’s probably a good that he decided to renege on his decision to call it a career amid the Inside the NBA cancellation reports. “Chuck” said this past summer that he was planning to leave broadcasting regardless of whether TNT/Warner Bros. Discovery was able to secure the NBA rights for future seasons of the aforementioned show. However, he reversed course in order to save jobs at Turner Broadcasting, which oversees the series. By doing that, the ex-basketball player left $100 million on the table. He described the experience as being quite “humbling.”

All in all, though, one gets the impression that Charles Barkley (who complained about taxes years ago) is fine as far as his financial well being goes. He said early during his recent interview that he’s not “stupid” when it comes to his money and, in the past, Barkley has also preached fiscal responsibility, especially when it comes to athletes. With that, it sounds like he has no plans to stop gambling anytime soon and, if people don’t like it, well… you read what he said.

All Saturday Night Live hosts have appeared "as themselves" in their monologue but things get really fun when they take allow themselves to be the butt of the joke in a sketch and appear as themselves. Not counting some of the jaw-dropping SNL cameos over the years, these are some of our favorite examples of a celebrity going meta at Studio 8H in a sketch from an episode that they headlined.

Brunch (Chris Hemsworth)

At first, in the Season 41 SNL sketch "Brunch," it seems that host Chris Hemsworth is playing a woman named Claire, who happens to be obsessed with the Thor actor until her friends begin to suspect that she is the Australian celebrity himself. They turn out to be correct when he reveals he wanted to make sure he was still one of the most desired Hollywood Chris' and the most desired Hemsworth.

Your Mom Talks To Megan Fox (Megan Fox)

One sketch from Megan Fox's sole hosting gig from SNL Season 35 sees the star of the Transformers movies appear as herself waiting for a friend of hers to get ready for a night out. During that time, she chats with Kristen Wiig as the friend's mother while she does laundry and has some eye-opening life advice to offer the actor.

I'm Just Pete (Pete Davidson)

For his return to Studio 8H as a host, Pete Davidson welcomed the opportunity to poke fun at his post-SNL career and personal life, most notably with a music video that quickly became one of the most popular sketches of Season 49. Set to the tune of the Oscar-nominated song "I'm Just Ken" from Barbie, the comedian channels Ryan Gosling's portrayal of the iconic doll (and dons his hairstyle) for a hilariously self-effacing ballad with blockbuster-level production design.

Little Focker Film Fan (Robert De Niro)

On his third appearance on SNL as a host, Robert De Niro stars in a sketch taking place on the set of 2010's Little Fockers, where meets a young boy named Keith (Bobby Moynihan) who is extremely excited by everything he sees, except for the two-time Academy Award winner. He even ribs De Niro for a few of his career misfires but, of course, goes crazy over receiving a page of the script, meeting a makeup artist, and when Ben Stiller, also playing himself, appears.

Why is Benedict Cumberbatch Hot? (Benedict Cumberbatch)

Everyone in this sketch, stars as themselves, including Beck Bennett, who sets up a game show in an attempt to understand why people find the night's host, Benedict Cumberbatch, attractive. It gives the Doctor Strange actor a chance to be self-effacing (comparing himself to the likes of a hammerhead shark and Sid the Sloth from the Ice Age movies) before his compliments toward Beck finally lead the SNL star to understand the English actor's appeal.

Meet The Family (Christopher Walken)

Everyone has their own Christopher Walken impression and most of the SNL cast, circa Season 33, had the opportunity to demonstrate their own right in front of the Academy Award winner. They play members of the host's family who reunite with him at a restaurant, discuss highlights of his career, and reminisce about their own lives together.

Friends (Matthew Perry)

Then Friends cast member Matthew Perry appears as Matt LeBlanc's character, Joey Tribbiani, for what starts a typical parody of the hit sitcom. It evolves into something more meta when Colin Quinn walks in as an overly flamboyant caricature of Chandler Bing, causing the host to unhappily break character and derail the whole sketch.

Ryan's Hometown (Ryan Gosling)

In 2015, first-time SNL host Ryan Gosling appeared as himself in a sketch set at a bar in Ontario, Canada, where he is being interviewed for a GQ profile. The interview is interrupted by the Drive star's childhood bully, Trevor (Kyle Mooney), who challenges him to perform a song from Dreamgirls, dance to Cathy Dennis' "Touch Me," and compare their muscular physiques before admitting that he misses the actor's presence.

United Way (Peyton Manning)

One of the funniest SNL sketches featuring a professional athlete is an SNL Digital Short framed as a United Way ad, featuring Peyton Manning spending the day with a group of children. Quickly, it becomes clear that this fictionalized version of the former Denver Broncos quarterback is the farthest thing from a good role model to the world's youth.

Old Lady Gaga (Lady Gaga)

Lady Gaga proved that she was totally game to make fun of herself when she hosted a 2013 SNL episode, which featured an entire sketch dedicated to mocking some of her most famous radio hits and iconic career highlights. It is set in a future where the world has forgotten about the pop star and her older self, desperate to find a fan, calls up her building's superintendent (Kenan Thompson), who at least can recognize "Empress Beyoncé."

Star Trek Convention (William Shatner)

Emmy winner William Shatner owes his career to the Star Trek franchise but you would think he was not so grateful with the way he treats fans in an SNL sketch from 1986. The Captain Kirk actor appears at a convention, where he urges a group of Trekkies to "get a life" instead of obsessing over the sci-fi TV show that he did "as a lark" back in the 1960s.

Hamm & Bublé (Jon Hamm)

After promoting "Jon Hamm's John Ham" in his first SNL hosting gig, Jon Hamm teamed with Michael Bublé (who was that night's musical guest) to introduce a new restaurant that serves pork and champagne. However, the crooner explains in his musical interstitials that he is being held captive by the Mad Men cast member and forced into helping him with this misguided and pun-fueled idea.

Point Blank (Wayne Gretzky)

The legendary Wayne Gretzky appeared as himself in a number of sketches, and proved to have some surprising comedic timing when he hosted SNL in 1989. One of the funniest moments sees the hockey star appears on a talk show that encourages viewers to call in to ask the guest something but none of the questions have anything to do with him or with hockey and are all people seeking advice for something obscure.

Easter Candy (Michael Keaton)

In 2015, Oscar nominee Michael Keaton appeared as a flamboyant, blonde-haired gentleman showing off the contents of his Easter basket, with help from Kate McKinnon as the seemingly imbalanced Portia. It is not until the very end of the deeply bizarre sketch that we discover the Batman actor has been portraying a highly fictionalized version of himself the whole time.

Bill Swerski's Super Fans (Michael Jordan)

NBA legend Michael Jordan plays himself in a few sketches from his sole hosting gig from 1991. One of the most essential highlights sees the Space Jam cast leader join the hosts of Bill Swerski's Super Fans in a cheer for his fellow Chicago Bulls while wearing hula skirts.

Steve Martin Wants More Money (Steve Martin)

When Five-Timers Club member Steve Martin returned to SNL for his then-record-breaking 14th hosting gig, the comedian starred in a sketch set backstage, where he demanded Lorne Michaels a pay raise. However, the producer insists that he go on or he could be replaced with the one person who was closest to matching his record at the time: Alec Baldwin.

Investigation Discovery Presents: White People Problems (Charles Barkley)

In one of the few SNL sketches starring Charles Barkley as himself with no relation to basketball, he is seen hosting a true crime docuseries. However, instead of covering murders or kidnappings, Investigation Discovery Presents: White People Problems discusses instances of caucasian people reacting angrily to situations that seem completely blown out of proportion to the Black people involved.

Chris' Bedtime Story (George Foreman)

In Season 20, George Foreman starred in a backstage-set sketch in which one-season SNL cast member Chris Elliott asks the host to read him a bedtime story so he can take a nap in his dressing room. We imagine that, if anyone else demanded such a request from the boxing champ in real life, it might not end well for them.

Elton John And The Royal Wedding (Elton John)

Most of the sketches from host Elton John's 2010 episode see the Grammy winner playing himself. One of the best SNL sketches featuring the musician sees him visiting the Royal Family, who reveal their nasty, conniving true selves to him behind closed doors.

Brian Diaries (Brian Williams)

A non-actor who still nailed it as an SNL host is Brian Williams, who actually portrayed several original characters throughout the show. However, the former NBC Nightly News anchor did play himself in a Digital Short offering an exaggerated account of his daily routine, which includes receiving a motivational message from Bono (also appearing as himself) while meditating.

Read To Achieve (LeBron James)

LeBron James made his true acting debut hosting SNL before portraying himself in Trainwreck convinced audiences he had talent off the basketball court. He also stars as himself in one sketch in which his attempts to film a PSA are repeatedly interrupted by an obnoxious PA (Jason Sudeikis) who cannot seem to throw the ball at the athlete correctly.

Garth Brooks Backstage With Tracy (Garth Brooks)

During his second hosting gig, Garth Brooks appeared in an SNL sketch taking place backstage at Studio 8H, where cast member Tracy Morgan voices his disparaging opinion of that night's musical guest, Chris Gaines. What the country music star does not disclose to the comedian is the fact that he and the rock singer are actually the same person.

Sugar-Frosted Anabolic Steroids (Fran Tarkenton)

SNL has poked fun at how professional athletes often endorse products on many occasions, such as when John Belushi played himself in an ad for a breakfast cereal that was literally chocolate donuts. In the 1970s, Minnesota Vikings quarterback Fran Tarkenton tried his hand at the topic with a sketch that sees him endorse a cereal that is literally just performance-enhancing drugs.

Fernando's Hideaway (Mr. T And Hulk Hogan)

When actors/professional wrestlers Mr. T and Hulk Hogan hosted SNL together in the 1980s, they mostly appeared as themselves throughout the show. The most esteemed highlight sees them as guests on a recurring talk show bit hosted by Billy Crystal as Fernando Lamas, who goes off script to acknowledge the Hulkster's bouncing pecs when he accidentally laughs in the middle of the segment.

Marvin PSA/Knockouts (Marvin Hagler)

No one through a knockout punch quite like Marvelous Marvin Hagler in his day, which served as the inspiration for a bit from his SNL hosting gig. He appears in a PSA to help prepare people for if and when they might be forced to oppose him in the ring.

Boston Teens: Ski Lift (Jonny Moseley)

Jimmy Fallon and Rachel Dratch used to star in a recurring SNL sketch as stereotypical Boston teenagers Pat Sullivan and Denise McKenna. One edition saw them share a ski life with Olympic Gold medalist Jonny Moseley, who acts as a referee when the couple gets into an argument.

Finnish Talk Show (Katy Perry)

Katy Perry's second time on SNL was also her first time serving as a host, during which she starred in a sketch in which the pop star appears on a talk show from Finland. She soon discovers that the host (played by Kristen Wiig) has employed an unusually thorough research team, allowing her to have a clip ready to fun for literally any topic that comes up.

Football Liar (Walter Payton)

One of Jon Lovitz's most popular recurring characters on SNL was the habitually dishonest Tommy Flanagan. One sketch sees him run into Chicago Bears running back (and that night's host) Walter Payton who ends up being just as big a liar as he is.

Sports Beat (Nancy Kerrigan)

After suffering an infamous attack which was later dramatized in 2017's I, Tonya, Nancy Kerrigan proved she had a sense of humor about it when she hosted SNL. One sketch sees the figure skater appearing on a talk show with other Olympians who endured much worse injuries than she did but would receive far less favorable treatment.

Tommy Flanagan: Drinking With The Jaggers Cold Open (Jerry Hall)

Tommy Flanagan talks up model Jerry Hall and tries to convince her that he personally knows Mick Jagger. It seems that the facade is compromised when the Batman 1989 cast member's boyfriend, the Rolling Stones frontman himself, appears but he ends up using the pathological liar as an excuse for his absence a previous weekend.

Michael Phelps Diet (Michael Phelps)

Like any committed athlete, Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps consumes a high-calorie diet for the purpose of burning off those calories during practice in the pool. However, when he hosted SNL, he starred in a fake ad promising that regular people could indulge in the same diet without exercise, on to show that the results would be disastrous.

Tennis Player Adoption (Andy Roddick)

To younger viewers, the 2021 biopic King Richard's depiction of Richard Williams' disciplinary coaching style of his daughters, Venus and Serena, must have been shocking. However, it was common knowledge when 2003 U.S. Open winner Andy Roddick hosted SNL and appeared in a sketch where Williams (Kenan Thompson) proposes to adopt the athlete as his son.

It doesn’t even need to be said that Charles Barkley is one of the sports world’s most outspoken personalities. The basketball hall of famer has no qualms sharing his unfiltered thoughts on a given topic, especially one that’s been widely discussed throughout the Internet. One of the latest points of discussion is a statue that was recently erected in honor of NBA legend Dwyane Wade. The sculpture has since gone viral, and Barkley didn’t hold back while discussing that as well the struggles he’s had with monuments made in his honor.

At the end of October, the Miami Heat unveiled a statue of Dwyane Wade, which now stands outside the team’s arena, the Kaseya Center. The organization held an unveiling ceremony over a week ago, with Wade (who used to live in Florida) and his family in attendance. Since the statue – which captures an intense pose from Wade – was unveiled on Instagram and more, fans have joked about it, arguing that it looks nothing like the three-time NBA champion. Various memes involving the metallic monument’s visage have cropped up as well.

The yet-to-retire Charles Barkley shared some thoughts on the sculpture during his recent appearance on The Dan Patrick Show, which was shared on YouTube. Patrick himself initiated the conversation when he asked the Round Mound of Rebound if he himself has ever had a statue. Barkley – who has statues at Auburn University and the Philadelphia 76’ers’ facility – ultimately called the recreation of the Miami Heat legend “awful.” He also shared his thoughts on the looks that Wade’s children gave amid the ceremony:

Interestingly, the NBA GOAT at the center of this discussion offered up a more tempered take on the matter. ESPN reported that when discussing the statue, Dwyane Wade said that the statue “don’t need to look like [him].” As he explained, “the artistic version of a moment that happened that we're trying to cement.” That’s certainly a fair point, though Charles Barkley probably wouldn’t agree with that assessment. My assumption is based on the comments that Charles Barkley also shared when discussing his own statue with a sculptor:

We should probably expect nothing less from the man who’s made wild statements about Inside the NBA’s cancellation controversy. It’s also worth mentioning that Sir Charles shared thoughts on Wade's sculpture during a recent episode of Inside. Similarly to what he said during the Dan Patrick interview, Barkley asserted, “It's a great honor. But they gotta take that thing down.” His comments drew laughter from co-hosts Ernie Johnson and Shaquille O’Neal (with whom he’s had funny moments).

At the end of the day, though, it’s fair to say that what matters most is what Dwyane Wade thinks. So the sculptors can surely take comfort in the knowledge that Wade is pleased with it. Nevertheless, it would seem that as long as that statue exists, it could occasionally draw jokes from Charles Barkley.

A number of professional athletes have continued their careers in broadcasting after retiring from their sport of choice. Who, after all, knows the ins and outs of the games better than the ones who have played it and made entire careers out of it? Here are 32 of those ex-pros who have put down the ball (or racket or gloves or bat, etc.) and picked up a microphone instead.

Shaquille O'Neal

Shaquille O'Neal won four NBA championships (three with the L.A. Lakers and one with the Miami Heat) during his 19 seasons as a pro basketball player. He also won a gold medal as part of Team USA in the 1996 Olympics. After retiring in 2011, he joined Inside the NBA as an analyst, where he remains over a decade later, though it's unknown what Shaq will do if Inside the NBA is canceled in 2025.

Daniel Cormier

Olympic wrestler Daniel Cormier became the second fighter in the UFC to simultaneously hold titles in two weight classes (Light Heavyweight and Heavyweight) and the first to defend titles in more than one weight class. He first provided color commentary for a UFC Fight Night in 2016 and became a regular member of the UFC's crew of commentators upon his retirement in 2020.

Tara Lipinski

Tara Lipinski racked up a number of national and world championships, as well as a gold medal in the 1998 Olympics, which made her more than qualified to become one of the sport's leading commentators. She joined the NBC team in 2014, and while she's known for giving blunt feedback on the skaters' routines, we don't think that makes her mean; it just means she's good at her job.

Tom Brady

The greatest quarterback to ever play the game struck a lucrative deal to join the Fox NFL analysts long before he hung up his helmet for good. Seven-time Super Bowl winner Tom Brady got off to kind of a rough start as a color commentator for the 2024 football season, but even Shaquille O'Neal believes he'll only get better with time.

Rebecca Lobo

Rebecca Lobo was a member of the 1996 Olympics team, where she won the gold before going on to a career in the WNBA from 1997 to 2003. She remains heavily involved in the sport, serving as a reporter and analyst for ESPN for women's college and professional basketball.

Tim McCarver

Following a career as a Major League Baseball catcher from 1959 to 1980, which included two World Series titles (1964 and 1967) with the St. Louis Cardinals, Tim McCarver went into broadcasting, eventually landing at Fox Sports. He earned three Emmy Awards for Outstanding Sports Event Analyst and set a record for calling 23 World Series and 20 All-Star Games.

Dana Torres

Dana Torres represented the U.S. swim team in five Olympic Games, garnering 12 medals and setting three world records over the course of her career. Her final Olympics were in 2008, where at 41, she was the oldest swimmer on Team USA. After retiring from competitive swimming, she went on to work as an announcer for several networks including NBC, ESPN, TNT and Fox News. She also hosted a golf show.

Nastia Liukin

American gymnast Nastia Liukin is an analyst for the NBC Sports Group covering her event of expertise and has served as a commentator during the Olympics. This follows a career in which she earned five Olympic medals, including becoming the 2008 all-around champion; winning the all-around U.S. national championship four times; and was awarded nine World Championship medals.

Mary Carillo

Mary Carillo played professional tennis from 1977 to 1980, before injuries forced her into retirement. She then took her colorful personality to new heights, becoming a tennis broadcaster for USA Network, PBS, CBS Sports, HBO, NBC Sports, The Tennis Channel and more, including Olympics coverage from both Atlanta and Sydney, Australia. She then branched out to different sports, covering skiing during the 1992 Winter Olympics and has since done everything from human interest pieces to bobsled, luge, figure skating and even the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show.

Cheryl Miller

After a successful college basketball career at USC and leading the United States to gold in the 1984 Olympics, Cheryl Miller was drafted by several professional leagues, including the men's United States Basketball League. After injuries ended her playing career, she continued as a WNBA coach and basketball broadcaster, most notably as an NBA sideline reporter for TNT Sports and NBA TV analyst.

Tony Romo

After spending 13 seasons as a Dallas Cowboys quarterback, Tony Romo took to the booth, calling NFL games for CBS Sports. His football knowledge serves him well during broadcasts, as he's known for predicting what play an offense is going to run and even guessing what's being said in conversations between referees or coaches on the sidelines.

Tim Daggett

The Olympics may officially start with the Opening Ceremonies, but for gymnastics fans, it's not until you've heard Tim Daggett utter the words: “Gymnastics 101: Fly high and stick the landing.” Daggett was part of the first U.S. men's gymnastics team to win gold in 1985, where he scored a perfect 10 on the horizontal bar and also earned a bronze medal on the pommel horse. Since retiring, he has provided analysis for NBC for every Summer Olympics since Barcelona in 1992.

Terry Bradshaw

Terry Bradshaw spent 14 seasons as quarterback for the Pittsburgh Steelers, winning four Super Bowls over a six-year period. However, just as many people likely know him for his boisterous personality as an analyst and co-host of Fox NFL Sunday, which he's been a part of since 1994.

Charles Barkley

Charles Barkley was the "Round Mound of Rebound" for 16 years in the NBA, where he was part of two gold-medal Olympic teams. He went on to become an integral part of TNT's Inside the NBA, where he continues to share his unfiltered opinions and often trades barbs with Shaquille O'Neal.

Lisa Leslie

One of the greatest WNBA players of all time, Lisa Leslie holds the distinction of being the first player to dunk during a WNBA game. She won two Olympic gold medals and two WNBA championships with the Los Angeles Sparks. Since retiring, Leslie has worked as a sports commentator for networks including NBC and ABC, and in 2018 she joined Fox Sports Florida as an analyst on the Orlando Magic broadcasts.

Dominick Cruz

Many athletes take to broadcasting when their playing days are done, but not Dominick Cruz. He was still fighting for the UFC's Bantamweight belt, which he secured twice in his career, when he began providing color commentary for the UFC. Cruz proved that he knows how to get his arm raised, compiling a professional mixed martial arts record of 24 wins and just 4 losses.

Summer Sanders

Following a college career that included eight NCAA titles and three World Championship medals in 1991, swimmer Summer Sanders won four Olympic medals (2 gold, 1 silver, 1 bronze) in the 1992 Olympics in Barcelona. Her TV career began around the same time, as she provided swimming commentary for CBS and then NBC. Over the years she has helped cover the Winter Olympics, co-hosted NBA Inside Stuff for eight years, covered tennis and worked as a commentator for the Pac-12 Network.

Johnny Weir

Known these days as much for his style as his skills on the ice, Johnny Weir is one half of the dream team of figure skating commentary alongside Tara Lipinski. In addition to analyzing figure skating together for over a decade, Weir and Lipinski have been fashion analysts and correspondents for the Oscars, dog shows, the Kentucky Derby and the Super Bowl. This follows Weir's own career, in which he competed in two Winter Olympics, won bronze in the 2008 World Championships and was a U.S. National champion for three years straight.

John McEnroe

John McEnroe is infamous for having a temper on the tennis court, but his career speaks for itself, as he won 77 career singles titles, 77 doubles titles, and 1 mixed-doubles title during his ATP Tour career, including seven major singles titles and nine Grand Slam men's doubles titles. Post-retirement, he began providing commentary for networks including ESPN, CBS, NBC, USA and the BBC.

Laurie Hernandez

Laurie Hernandez's competition days as a gymnast resulted in a gold medal in the team competition at the 2016 Summer Games and silver on the balance beam. She also won the junior all-around at the 2015 U.S. Championships. Those who watched Team USA at the 2024 Paris Olympics got to hear Hernandez provide commentary during NBC's live daytime broadcast.

Troy Aikman

Troy Aikman was a three-time Super Bowl champion with the Dallas Cowboys, where he played quarterback for 12 seasons. He went on to serve as the color commentator for NFL on Fox for 20 years until 2021, and has been calling Monday Night Football alongside Joe Buck since 2022.

Rowdy Gaines

Rowdy Gaines, aka "The Voice of Swimming," had a successful career in the pool, winning three Olympic gold medals in 1984 and setting 10 world records in his six years of competition. Gaines has since covered swimming at every Olympics since 1992 and also serves as an analyst for NBC.

Bob Uecker

Bob Uecker spent five years as a catcher in the MLB, winning a World Series with the 1964 St. Louis Cardinals, but he's more widely known for the career that came after. In 2024 at 90 years old, Uecker began his 54th season broadcasting for the Milwaukee Brewers. He's also appeared at WrestleMania as a commentator and had a hilarious role as a play-by-play announcer in the Major League movies.

Teddy Atlas

After a back injury forced Teddy Atlas to quit boxing, he turned to training and eventually broadcast, serving as a longtime commentator for ESPN and providing analysis for NBC during the Olympics from 2000 to 2016.

Chiney Ogwumike

Much of Chiney Ogwumike's basketball-playing and broadcasting careers have happened simultaneously. After the power forward was drafted first overall in 2014 to the WNBA's Connecticut Sun, Ogwumike went on to sign a multi-year contract with ESPN in 2018 as a full-time basketball analyst. In 2020 she became the first Black woman and first WNBA player to host a national radio show for the sports entertainment network.

Bill Walton

NBA star Bill Walton, who passed away in May 2024 at age 71, enjoyed a long career in basketball, winning two NBA championships (1977 with the Portland Trail Blazers and 1986 with the Boston Celtics). He overcame a stutter to become a color commentator for several decades, working for CBS, NBC, ABC/ESPN, the L.A. Clippers, the Sacramento Kings and the Pac-12 Network.

John Madden

John Madden contributed so much to the sport of football, he's got a video game to ensure we never forget. After being drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles in 1958, a knee injury ended his career before he ever played a game. He coached for years before settling into his role as an analyst, sharing his wisdom on all four major TV networks. He became one of the most well-known voices amongst NFL fans and won 16 Sports Emmy Awards prior to his death in 2021.

Candace Parker

Candace Parker was the first overall pick in the 2008 WNBA draft, going to the Los Angeles Sparks, where she spent 13 seasons and won one championship. She then played for the Chicago Sky and Las Vegas Aces, picking up a title at each of those stops as well. Parker announced her retirement in April 2024, but her broadcasting career was already in full swing. In 2018 she began providing analysis for NBA on TNT and has worked on NBA TV and the NCAA Tournament, including the men's championship game. In 2023, she became the first woman to provide color commentary for an NBA All-Star Game.

Tim Tebow

Tim Tebow played three seasons in the NFL, mostly playing quarterback but also tight end later in his career. He also tried his hand at Major League Baseball, where he jumped around to several minor league teams before retiring. In 2017 he began contributing college football commentary regularly on the SEC Network and ESPN.

Michael Bisping

Michael Bisping began his professional MMA career in 2004, ultimately winning The Ultimate Fighter 3's light heavyweight tournament. He went on to a UFC career that lasted until 2017, during which he held the Middleweight belt and the Cage Rage Light Heavyweight title. In 2019 he made his color commentary debut for the UFC, making his way to the big pay-per-view fights a year later.

Cris Collinsworth

After an eight-season NFL career with the Cincinnati Bengals, wide receiver Cris Collinsworth went into broadcasting, a career that has earned him 17 Sports Emmys. Collinsworth notably became the color commentator for NBC's Sunday Night Football when John Madden retired in 2009 and also voices the commentary on several editions of the Madden video game.

Doug Collins

After an eight-year career with the Philadelphia 76ers, Doug Collins held several broadcasting positions. In addition to serving as an NBA analyst for 76ers and New York Knicks broadcasts, he's worked for CBS, NBC, TBS, TNT and ABC/ESPN. He also lent his basketball expertise to coverage of the 2008 and 2012 Summer Olympics.

Charles Barkley has co-hosted the fan-favorite program Inside the NBA for over two decades now. As of late, the corporate waters have been a bit rough as of late, though, as Inside is nearing cancellation. Amid that drama, Barkley has been vocal about his displeasure with the way his bosses have handled the situation. Now, it would seem that the former Phoenix Sun has even more issues with his employers at the network, which was founded by Turner. Specifically, Barkley was real about how he feels his professional growth has been stunted.

2018 saw the former NBA MVP launch his production company, Round Mound Media. Since then, the brand has reportedly been somewhat stagnant. However, Charles Barkley is now re-launching the brand in collaboration with EverWonder Studio. The basketball hall of famer recently appeared on The Jim Jackson Show, during which he discussed his big business move. When asked by the eponymous host if this decision was influenced by the network’s fight for the NBA rights. Barkley then proceeded to reveal his long-held issues:

It should be specified that Turner Broadcasting is technically defunct, as just about all of its assets are now owned by Warner Bros. Discovery. The 11-time NBA All-Star further emphasized his feelings (as shared on YouTube) about the negative way he believes his production career has been impacted:

The Jeff who’s being referred to is Jeff Zucker, who used to work with Sir Charles at WarnerMedia and headed up both Turner Sports and CNN. Zucker now oversees RedBird IMI, which is backing Round Mound Media, per Awful Annoucing. It should also be noted that TNT Sports has a first-look deal with RMM, which assures its involvement in this endeavor. Only time will tell how that collaboration persists.

Charles Barkley’s aim to expand his production company coincides with his decision to walk back his retirement plans. This past summer, Barkley’s announcement shook fans, who were already reeling over the fate of Inside the NBA. Not only has the ex-Houston Rocket chastised for Warner Bros. Discovery for allegedly not taking care of business, but he also called out the NBA. Barkley claimed the league was eyeing money over its fans after WBD reportedly matched Amazon’s offer for the broadcast rights to the league.

This latest string of comments regarding his relationship with his bosses exemplifies Charles Barkley’s continued tendency to not mince words when he feels strongly about something. It’s evident that he’s passionate about Inside the NBA as well as his Round Mound Media banner. Personally, I’m intrigued to see what the future holds for the long-running sports show as well as Barkley’s personal brand.

Few would argue with the assertion that Charles Barkley is one of the most outspoken people in the history of sports and the entertainment industry. It feels like there aren’t too many people who can intimidate him or truly quiet him down. However, there was at least one person who managed to accomplish that goal years ago, and it was none other than late NBA great Bill Russell. The iconic Boston Celtic apparently gave Barkley a stern message after the latter complained about his taxes at one point.

Charles Barkley has had plenty of notable interactions with high-profile NBA players, like Magic Johnson, Shaquille O’Neal and Julius Erving. Barkley was also friends with Michael Jordan, before they had a falling-out. As the Round Mound of Rebound explained on the Let’s Go podcast, he hadn’t been acquainted with Mr. Russell ahead of the eleven-time champion sending that tax-related message. However, that definitely didn’t stop him from giving Barkley a call and explaining to him just why he shouldn’t complain:

The idea of Bill Russell lecturing Charles Barkley after he complained about his finances does sound funny. However, in all honesty, the revered athlete and civil rights activist articulated some very astute points to the younger athlete at the time. Russell was clearly cognizant of the fact that he and Barkley were in privileged positions as professional athletes. Based on what else Barkley had to say during his interview (which was shared on X), Russell never let him forget his social status either:

While Mr. Russell was well regarded for his jovial nature, he was also known for his no-nonsense attitude, especially when it came to his interactions with fellow athletes. Some of the stories that have been told about him are legendary – and for good reason. It would be an understatement to say that he was massively influential and, thankfully, there are plenty of players who took any of the wisdom he dished out to heart.

Charles Barkley may come on strong at times, but there are certainly situations in which he himself tries to give thoughtful advice on certain matters. More recently, Barkley’s said a lot about the reported cancellation of TNT’s Inside the NBA, which he’s co-anchored since 2000. He’s been incredibly vocal about how the situation really “sucks” for many of his co-workers, who aren’t as fortunate to have the kind of money he possesses. Given Barkley’s sentiments on that front, it would seem that his is now indeed conscious of the privilege that Bill Russell tried to make him aware of years ago.

Be sure to check out Charles Barkley and his co-hosts when Inside the NBA returns (for what could be its send-off season) on October 17 on TNT amid the 2024 TV schedule. Right now, you can also stream the excellent documentary Bill Russell: Legend using a Netflix subscription.