Charles Barkley Slams ‘Greedy’ Roger Goodell for Hijacking NBA’s Christmas Tradition with NFL Games

Charles Barkley did not appreciate the NFL coming in and scheduling games with its best teams on Christmas Day, which was the NBA's feature.

Charles Barkley Slams ‘Greedy’ Roger Goodell for Hijacking NBA’s Christmas Tradition with NFL Games

Charles Barkley and Roger Goodell (Image via FirstSportz)

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Charles Barkley never minces his words. Be it when he wants to praise anyone, or when he wants to subtly troll someone, or particularly, when he wants to chastise someone for something he feels was wrong. This time, it was Roger Goodell, and the NFL that was on his list.

The Round Mound of Rebound loves football and always has something good to say about the players, who put their bodies on the line to entertain fans.

He has also sided with the sport when the ‘NBA players can play in the NFL‘ debate raged across all platforms. Barkley believed basketball players had no clue what they were talking about when it comes to how physically demanding football is.

However, when it comes to the business side of things, the Hall of Famer was not happy when the NFL decided they too wanted a piece of the pie that is Christmas Day viewers.

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.

Charles Barkley said as quoted by Marc Stein

This was Charles Barkley being as unfiltered as he is known for being, going after Roger Goodell and the NFL live on national television within the first few minutes of ESPN’s NBA coverage.

He believes December 25th has always been his league’s monopoly. But the football folk felt they wanted to draw the viewers, as they could rake in a lot more ratings, and hence revenue, which is why he felt it was just out of greed.

Former NBA champions join Charles Barkley in dissing NFL for Christmas Day games

Charles Barkley openly criticized Roger Goodell for jeopardizing the NBA’s Christmas Day festivities with some NFL games. Two former NBA champions, Richard Jefferson and Kendrick Perkins, also had some choice words for the country’s biggest football league.

No other country watches football… As the 2nd biggest sport in the world, people all around the world watch our sport. You guys keep Thanksgiving, we’ll take Christmas.

Richard Jefferson said

Hearing this, his Road Trippin’ Show co-panelist said:

They tried to be petty. Do you see the slate of games they have? That s**t is ugly. Y’all should have minded your business and left Christmas Day to the NBA.

Kendrick Perkins said

To this, Jefferson added that the NFL should rethink their strategy, as Christmas Day is often when a lot of its top players are banged up. Therefore, if they want to draw viewers worldwide, they should have their best players on the field.

NBA vs. NFL Christmas Day ratings usually tell a different story

Last season, LeBron James stated that Christmas Day was always the NBA’s time to celebrate. At the time, he felt the ratings were going to prove his point, but it turned out to be anything but.

Lakers vs Rockets on Christmas Day
Lakers vs Rockets on Christmas Day (Image via SportsTalk 790/X)

Even though viewership numbers across all games slated last season garnered a major ratings improvement, the NFL’s games outdrew many more.

This season, it is possible the numbers will be a lot different, as the three football games broadcast by the NFL did not have enough star power to draw as many fans as they did the last time.

On the other hand, even though a couple of basketball games did not live up to the mark, most of them were entertaining and gave fans a glimpse into the resurgent popularity of the NBA.

Maybe, Roger Goodell would listen to Charles Barkley and the rest of the sports world and change their approach to how they want to capture fans.

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