Charles Barkley Dares ESPN & TNT to Fire Him After Intentional NSFW ‘Cardi D’ Comment

Charles Barkley has been hinting at calling it quits on his TV career for quite some time and even retired before ESPN and TNT struck a deal.

Charles Barkley Dares ESPN & TNT to Fire Him After Intentional NSFW ‘Cardi D’ Comment

Charles Barkley wants ESPN to fire him (Image via FirstSportz)

Charles Barkley and his Inside the NBA crew are covering the Finals for the first time in their history, despite being on air for more than three decades.

When they used to broadcast through TNT, the network never got the opportunity to cover the Finals. That was because they were the primary media rights partner, which meant the NBA would favor them for most of the games in a season.

They would then give the other networks in the agreement, either ESPN/ABC or NBC previously, the exclusive rights to broadcast the Finals.

Before this, Barkley and his crew had mostly enjoyed covering the Conference Finals stage. In the biggest series of the year, the stage is a lot grander, and with it comes the arrival of top-tier celebrities.

But he did not go viral for an interview or a face-to-face meeting. Rather, it was when the basketball great made some NSFW comments about Game 3 halftime performer Cardi B. When Dan Patrick asked him about it, the former league MVP replied:

Dan, you know I’m hoping they fire me. I got 6 or 7 years left on my contract that they know I’ve got no chance of doing. I would love for them to fire me and have to pay me for the next 6 or 7 years.

Charles Barkley replied

This was the Round Mound of Rebound, essentially laughing it off by suggesting that he was intentionally doing it so that either TNT or ESPN would fire him. Then, he can earn the remainder of his massive contract without having to work a single day.

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Charles Barkley flames influencers

After clarifying why he was commenting on Cardi B, the conversation shifted to how influencers and other podcasters will be having a field day reacting and opining about Charles Barkley‘s actions. To this, the former 76ers star said:

First of all, you ain’t influencing nobody. You’re just making bad money, and you’re just creating bad content… You’re just a loser making money on stupidity.

The Hall of Famer believes that nobody can influence anyone. It is just another way of making money on the stupidity of people who watch those shows.

Barkley warned that not all money is good money. This was coming from someone who has earned millions, then lost most of it through gambling, and nearly went broke.

Then, to come back through his broadcasting career and make millions again, he knows what it is to have it and lose it all.

The 63-year-old has always taken shots at those on the internet commenting and giving their opinions, as he felt they generally do not have a proper job to do. Hence, they are doing whatever they can.

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Charles Barkley has already stated he wants to retire soon

Charles Barkley may not like influencers, but he does appear on podcasts, particularly on those on which he knows the hosts personally.

Charles Barkley wants to retire
Charles Barkley wants to retire (Image via People)

He has helped many start their journeys, and he also has a production company producing some shows. The Phoenix Suns legend created the latter with the intention of retiring from TV.

But now, with ESPN agreeing to broadcast Inside the NBA, the show has a new lease of life. It is unclear how long the arrangement will last, but it seems Barkley has one foot out of the door.

Before agreeing to continue with TNT and ESPN, the Alabama native made it clear that he was hell-bent on retiring soon. He had made enough money and now just wanted to play golf and laze around the house.

Therefore, it might not be long before he calls it quits. It may not be after the end of this season. But it could be after the 2026-27 season. With his relationship with Michael Jordan on the verge of building again, Barkley might as well spend time with those close to him.

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