Most Talked-About Controversies Linked to Charles Barkley

Public opinion and media debates around Charles Barkley—discover key moments of controversy.

Charles Barkley is a retired American professional basketball player and current television analyst. Known for his rebounding and scoring prowess despite being undersized for a power forward, he earned the nicknames "Sir Charles", "the Bread Truck", and "the Round Mound of Rebound." Barkley's NBA career spanned 16 seasons, during which he was an 11-time All-Star, 11-time All-NBA Team member, and the 1993 NBA MVP. He was also recognized as one of the NBA's greatest players, earning spots on the league's 50th and 75th anniversary teams.

Sections (5)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Controversies & Scandals

1990: Fight with Bill Laimbeer

In 1990, Charles Barkley was involved in a fight with Detroit Pistons center Bill Laimbeer, resulting in a $162,500 fine.

March 1991: Spitting Incident

In March 1991, Charles Barkley spat on a young girl while attempting to spit at a heckler, stirring national controversy.

March 26, 1991: Spitting Incident

On March 26, 1991, during a game versus the New Jersey Nets, Charles Barkley attempted to spit on a heckler, but hit a young girl, resulting in suspension and a fine.

1993: Role Model Controversy

In 1993, Charles Barkley declared that sports figures should not be considered role models, stirring national controversy.

1993: I am not a role model

In 1993, Charles Barkley's argument that athletes should not be considered role models prompted national news when he wrote the text for his "I am not a role model" Nike commercial, sparking debate and commentary from figures like Dan Quayle.

October 25, 1996: Suspension and Fine for Fighting

On October 25, 1996, Charles Barkley was suspended for the season opener and fined $5,000 for fighting Charles Oakley during a preseason game. This altercation occurred after Oakley committed a flagrant foul on Barkley, leading to Barkley shoving Oakley.

November 10, 1999: Ejection from Game against Los Angeles Lakers

On November 10, 1999, Charles Barkley was ejected from a game against the Los Angeles Lakers along with Shaquille O'Neal after O'Neal shoved Barkley, who then threw the ball at O'Neal.

October 2007: Gambling Debt at Wynn Las Vegas

In October 2007, Charles Barkley accumulated a $400,000 gambling debt at the Wynn Las Vegas casino, which led to a civil complaint being filed against him in May 2008.

2007: Race against Dick Bavetta at NBA All-Star Weekend

In 2007, at the NBA All-Star Weekend, Charles Barkley raced NBA official Dick Bavetta for charity, after joking about Bavetta's age during a broadcast. Barkley won the race, and the event raised money for charity.

2007: Revealed Gambling Losses

In a 2007 interview with ESPN's Trey Wingo, Charles Barkley revealed that he had lost approximately $10 million through gambling and admitted to losing $2.5 million in a six-hour period while playing blackjack.

May 2008: Wynn Las Vegas Filed Civil Complaint

In May 2008, the Wynn Las Vegas casino filed a civil complaint against Charles Barkley, alleging that he failed to pay a $400,000 debt stemming from gambling losses in October 2007. Barkley promptly repaid the debt.

December 31, 2008: Arrest for DUI in Scottsdale, Arizona

On December 31, 2008, Charles Barkley was arrested in Scottsdale, Arizona, for drunk driving after being pulled over for running a stop sign. He failed field sobriety tests, refused a breath test but had a blood test, and was later charged with DUI-related counts and running a red light. His blood-alcohol level was nearly twice the legal limit in Arizona. He was cooperative during the arrest.

2010: Admitted to Taking Money from Agents

In 2010, Charles Barkley admitted that he asked for and received money from sports agents during his college career at Auburn.

2013: Expressed Agreement with Acquittal of George Zimmerman

In 2013, Charles Barkley expressed his agreement with the acquittal of George Zimmerman in the Trayvon Martin shooting.

2014: Commented on Accusation against Russell Wilson

In 2014, Charles Barkley was asked about the rumor that Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson was being accused for not being "black enough" on the radio show Afternoons with Anthony and Rob Ellis.

2016: Early criticism of Donald Trump.

As early as 2016, during the U.S. presidential election, Charles Barkley criticized Donald Trump's words and messages, expressing disgust before Trump even won the Republican primaries.

May 11, 2017: Premiere of "American Race" on TNT

On May 11, 2017, Charles Barkley's six-episode unscripted show, originally called The Race Card but renamed American Race, premiered on TNT.

August 2017: Response to Confederate monument controversy.

In August 2017, in response to the controversy surrounding the removal of Confederate monuments after the Unite the Right rally in Charlottesville, Virginia, Charles Barkley shared his perspective on the situation.

September 2017: Criticism of President Trump's stance on Colin Kaepernick's kneeling protest.

In September 2017, Charles Barkley voiced his disappointment in President Trump for calling out Colin Kaepernick, the former San Francisco 49ers quarterback, for kneeling during the U.S. National Anthem during the 2016 NFL season. It's worth noting that Barkley has also stated that he does not support athletes kneeling during the National Anthem as a form of protest.

December 2017: Mocking President Trump's Tax Bill

In December 2017, Charles Barkley satirized President Trump's tax bill, suggesting it primarily benefited the wealthy at the expense of the poor.

2017: Support for Doug Jones in Alabama Senate Election.

In 2017, Charles Barkley supported Democrat Doug Jones in the United States Senate special election in Alabama. During Alabama's Senate election, Barkley argued that Jones' competitor, Roy Moore, should have been disqualified due to his association with a white separatist.

2019: Optimism about the NBA's planned restart to the 2019-2020 season in the NBA bubble

In 2019, Charles Barkley expressed optimism about the NBA's planned restart to the 2019-2020 season in the NBA bubble, but worried about some players testing positive for COVID-19.

2020: Concern about Sports Becoming Too Political

In 2020, Charles Barkley expressed concern that sports were becoming excessively political, stating that it risked becoming a circus and alienating viewers seeking entertainment.

2020: Views on School Safety and NBA Restart During COVID-19 Pandemic

In 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, Charles Barkley expressed concern about the safety of children returning to school, but also worried that keeping children at home would widen the gap between rich and poor. He expressed optimism about the NBA's planned restart to the 2019-2020 season in the NBA bubble, but worried about some players testing positive for COVID-19.

2020: Views on Defunding the Police and the Breonna Taylor Case

In 2020, while supporting police and prison reforms, Charles Barkley spoke out against defunding the police, questioning who Black people would call for help otherwise. After Breonna Taylor's death, Barkley acknowledged the tragedy but highlighted that her boyfriend shot at the police, differentiating her case from those of George Floyd and Ahmaud Arbery.