Barkley’s honesty creates tension with ESPN.

Charles Barkley may have created tension with ESPN after roughly criticizing the NFL and commissioner Roger Goodell over the league’s Christmas Day games.

The longtime NBA analyst called the move greedy and said the NFL took attention away from the NBA’s holiday showcase by scheduling three games on Christmas. Barkley spoke openly and did not hold back his opinion.

Ahead of Christmas Day, Barkley talked about the packed sports schedule and said the NFL now tries to dominate every day of the week. He also directed his criticism straight at Goodell.

“There’s nobody else playing. The NFL got greedy and started adding Christmas games,” Barkley said. “We used to have this day to ourselves.”

Barkley did not stop there.

“You know Roger Goodell and them pigs at the NFL always want to hog every day of the week now,” he added. “Stay in your lane, Roger.”

ESPN Has Little Patience For NFL criticism

Charles Barkley (Image Credits: Imagn)
Barkley’s words landed in dangerous territory for ESPN. The network has a massive relationship with the NFL, and everyone in sports media knows how important that is.

There is history to back up the concern. Once, ESPN suspended Bill Simmons for three weeks after he called Roger Goodell a “liar” on his podcast. At the time, ESPN said the suspension was about professionalism and responsibility.

Barkley did not go that far with his language. Even so, calling the NFL “greedy” and referring to the league as “pigs” still drew attention.

Former Miami Marlins president David Samson broke down the situation on his Nothing Personal podcast. He spoke openly about how much power the NFL holds and why those comments matter.

“The NFL is king and there’s not a damn thing we can do about it,” Samson said. He added that fans keep watching no matter what happens on the field. “We watch our gladiators because that’s what the human race does.”

Samson then addressed Barkley directly.

“So Charles Barkley did something that I like to call peeing against the wind,” Samson said. “You don’t do that.”

Samson predicted consequences. He said Barkley will hear from Warner Bros. Discovery and Disney. He also pointed to Goodell’s control over future media deals.

“ESPN needs the NFL more than we need oxygen,” Samson said.

Barkley has always been known for speaking his mind, and fans appreciate that honesty. ESPN also gains a lot from his popularity and strong opinions. At the same time, the network guards its relationship with the NFL very carefully.

For now, Barkley is in limbo. ESPN has not said if it will take any action. The NFL controls ratings and the sports calendar, and that power matters. Because of it, Barkley may soon have a tough private conversation with the network.