Charles Barkley Launches Scathing Attack on “Roger Goodell and Them Pigs” For Hogging NBA’s Limelight on Christmas

Former NBA player Charles Barkley launched a scathing attack on NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and others involved for hogging the NBA’s limelight on Christmas. Barkley wasn’t too pleased with the NFL now playing games on Christmas Day, a tradition in the NBA.

The 1993 NBA MVP said this when he spoke on Thursday’s episode of ESPN’s “Inside the NBA.

“The NFL got greedy and started adding Christmas games,” Charles Barkley said. “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.”

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The NBA has made Christmas Day a core part of its schedule for more than seven decades. It has played games every year on Dec. 25, except when there was a lockout season and has featured five fan favorite games.

The NFL, on the other hand, has not treated Christmas Day as a regular fixture (except maybe if Christmas Day that season falls on a Sunday). However, with the financial windfall that comes with gaining more viewers, the NFL has started staging games on Christmas, with high-profile games as well.

Fans and former players have criticized the NFL. Kendrick Perkins on the “Road Trippin” podcast on Wednesday accused the NFL of being petty.

Thursday's Christmas Day games feature New York Knicks star Jalen Brunson, Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell, LA Lakers superstar LeBron James, three-time MVP Nikola Jokic and Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards. Games involving these players will be broadcast on ABC and ESPN.

However, while the NFL generated a reported 24 million viewers in its double-header game between the Kansas City Chiefs at Pittsburgh Steelers and Baltimore Ravens at Houston Texans games, this year’s own have proven to be underwhelming according to critics, including Kendrick Perkins and Charles Barkley. Several teams scheduled have lost playoff relevance and key players, notably Patrick Mahomes, are injured.

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Charles Barkley roasts the Warriors playoffs hopes

Charles Barkley on ESPN’s pregame show on Thursday roasted the Golden State Warriors’ chances of making the playoffs this season. He was with Warriors forward Draymond Green, who was a guest via videoconference, when he made the joke.

"We're going to have you back here once the playoffs start," Barkley said.

The Warriors (15-15) and struggling for consistency. They have lost three of their last five games and had to deal with a controversy between Green and Coach Stev Kerr. They host the Dallas Mavericks on Christmas Day and will want to keep their win streak, which stands at two games, alive.

Edited by Ubong Richard