Charles Barkley slams ‘selective outrage’, hopes to do TNT, LIV Golf

After eating with LIV CEO Greg Norman Wednesday, Charles Barkley appeared like a person who could be prepared to hitch the Saudi-backed tour as a broadcaster. 

In a wide-ranging interview with The Put up, Barkley stated he believes there’s “selective outrage” in critics going after LIV Golf and feels it might be hypocritical to not contemplate being part of the brand new tour if the cash is true.

As additional proof that he’s critical about LIV, he’ll play within the Professional-Am portion of the LIV occasion subsequent week at Trump Nationwide in Bedminster, New Jersey.

After eating with Norman on the Italian restaurant Pricci in Atlanta, Barkley subsequent expects the Aussie golfer to make him a proposal to be a commentator. Barkley, one of many 50 biggest NBA gamers of all time, has led TNT’s “Contained in the NBA” because it has turn into an iconic sports activities studio present.

Barkley is beneath contract with Turner for 3 extra years and $30 million, in response to sources.

“In an ideal state of affairs, I might like to do each,” Barkley instructed The Put up. “I don’t understand how Turner’s sponsors are going to really feel about it. I do know there’s going to be some blowback.”

Barkley stated he and Norman talked in regards to the Saudi-led group that’s behind LIV Golf. The Saudi Arabian authorities has been accused of killing of Washington Put up journalist Jamal Khashoggi, in addition to different human rights violations.

“I instructed [Norman],” Barkley stated. “’Hear, they’re making up phrases, like ‘blood cash’ and ‘sports activities washing.’ I stated, ‘We now have all taken ‘blood cash’ and all of us have ‘sports activities washed’ one thing so I don’t like these phrases, to be sincere with you.’

“In case you are in professional sports activities, you’re taking some sort of cash from not an ideal trigger.”

When requested if the NBA’s relationship with China was an instance he was pointing to, Barkley responded, “Yeah, I don’t wish to observe selective outrage.”

As a follow-up, Barkley was requested whether it is completely different if you’re principally receiving a test from the Saudi authorities.

“Now, that’s semantics,” Barkley stated. “I’m a Nike man, additionally, so I’m not going to try this factor the place I decide and select what I’m outraged about, the place my cash comes from. I simply don’t assume that’s honest. I believe that makes you a hypocrite.

“And let’s be honest, all these golf excursions have performed in Saudi Arabia and China. That was my level.” 

Nonetheless, how the whole lot performs out will not be solely as much as Barkley. He has endorsement offers with Capital One, Subway and Dick’s Sporting Items. When the tales got here out that Barkley was assembly with LIV Golf, his sponsors contacted him.

“They checked in with me,” Barkley stated. “What I instructed Subway, Capital One and Dick’s Sporting Items, I stated, ‘Wait a minute. I haven’t signed something. I haven’t met with the man. Let’s let this factor play out earlier than you all name me all upset.’

“Between the quantity you simply talked about [$10 million per year] and all my commercials, for me to danger all of that, it must be some critical cash thrown my approach.”

LIV has added big-name golfers like Phil Mickelson, Dustin Johnson and Brooks Koepka, whereas for its YouTube broadcasts it employed Arlo White and, as The Put up reported earlier this week, David Feherty. Each had been previously at NBC Sports activities. The PGA Tour has dominated that LIV gamers can’t take part of their occasions.

LIV retains steamrolling forward with the Saudis’ seemingly infinite cash, and Norman instructed Barkley {that a} TV deal is predicted.

“I believe he thinks they’re going to get a TV deal,” Barkley stated. “I’m fairly certain they’re going to get a TV deal additionally. Any individual goes to step ahead sooner or later.

“I believe it’s form of a smorgasbord of various issues, to be sincere with you. I don’t assume it’s one factor particularly, however I believe the primary factor is utilizing my character ”

Earlier than taking the assembly with Norman, Barkley consulted with Michael Wilbon, Mark Cuban, Ahmad Rashad and Bryant and Greg Gumbel.

“These are guys which have mentored me all through my profession,” Barkley stated. “I obtained all their opinions on it, they usually noticed no downside with me taking this assembly – and I’m glad they did.”