Roger Goodell’s master plan didn’t go as planned.

NBA legend and ESPN analyst Charles Barkley called out NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell over his Christmas Day decision that didn’t go as planned.

This year, Roger Goodell and the NFL decided to schedule three Christmas Day games: Dallas Cowboys at Washington Commanders, Detroit Lions at Minnesota Vikings and Denver Broncos at Kansas City Chiefs.

Of course, the NFL didn’t expect the three scheduled games to blow up in their faces. Among the six teams in action today, only the AFC West-leading Broncos are in the playoff picture.

Washington had to play third-string QB Josh Johnson. With JJ McCarthy sidelined, the Vikings have turned to backup Max Brosmer. With starting quarterback Patrick Mahomes and backup QB Gardner Minshew II injured, the Chiefs have to play third-stringer Chris Oladokun.

Speaking on “NBA Tipoff”, Charles Barkley ripped Roger Goodell for scheduling NFL games on Christmas Day (via Justin Tasch of the New York Post): Specifically, Barkley thought it was a “greedy” move to compete with the NBA’s five Christmas games:

“The NFL got greedy and started adding Christmas games. We used to have this day to ourself, but Roger Goodell and them pigs at the NFL always want to hog every day of the week now. Christmas is an NBA day.”

Netflix is paying $150 million annually to air a pair of Christmas Day games. But it’s also football, so they should score massive ratings anyway.

Roger Goodell Is Always Business First

Roger Goodell (Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images)
Love him or hate him, Goodell is popular among NFL owners because he prioritizes business above all else. While NFL players may not like having Christmas Day games, it’s a big moneymaker for the league and its teams. $150 million for Netflix to air two games? Goodell will take that any day.

And it’s not just because Christmas falls on a Thursday this year. The league also had Christmas Day games last year, despite it falling on a Wednesday. They had a Christmas game in 2020, even though it fell on a Friday.

Goodell’s decision to run NFL games on Dec. 25 may not sit well with others, but the owners love it. Money is the main draw in this league, after all.

Luka Doncic ‘destroys’ the Mavs on his return. Gets standing ovation and shows love to Mark Cuban

Luka Doncic hits 45 points in his first game in Dallas since being traded to the Los Angeles.

It’s rare for a home crowd to cheer the visiting team, but Luka Doncic’s return to Dallas was no ordinary night.

Just days before February’s trade deadline, the Mavericks shocked the NBA by sending their 26-year-old superstar to the Lakers—a move that outraged fans and sparked backlash toward GM Nico Harrison.

On Wednesday, Doncic played his first game back in Dallas since the trade. The arena was filled with fans in both his old Mavs and new Lakers jerseys, many chanting “Fire Nico” in protest.

Despite the emotion in the air, Doncic delivered a dominant performance, scoring a game-high 45 points to lead the Lakers to a 112-97 win. It was a powerful return for one of the league’s brightest stars—and a night Dallas won’t soon forget

The Mavericks pay tribute to Luka Dončić

While the Mavericks’ decision to trade Luka Doncic remains heavily criticized, they handled his return to Dallas with undeniable grace. The organization made sure his first game back as a Laker was met with respect and appreciation.

Every seat in the arena was draped with a T-shirt reading “Hvala za vse,” which translates from Slovenian to “thank you for everything.” It was a thoughtful nod to Doncic’s heritage and impact on the franchise.

Before tip-off, during the starting lineup announcements, the Mavericks played a tribute video showcasing some of Doncic’s most iconic moments in a Dallas jersey. The emotional gesture clearly resonated—moving Doncic to tears in front of the crowd that once called him their own.

Luka Doncic ‘DESTROYS’ his old team

Luka delivered a dazzling performance against his former team, putting up 45 points on 16-of-28 shooting, including 7-of-10 from beyond the arc. He also added 8 rebounds, 6 assists, and 4 steals in a game that showed exactly why he’s one of the best in the league.

From the opening tip, Doncic was locked in. By halftime, Doncic had racked up 31 points on 11-of-16 shooting in just 19 minutes—marking the 10th time in his career he’s scored 30 or more in a single half.

Though his scoring slowed in the second half, he continued to lead effectively, securing both a Lakers win and an unforgettable showing for the fans in Dallas.