1. Early Life and Education
Charles Barkley's formative years were marked by experiences with racial segregation and family challenges, which shaped his early life before he became a prominent basketball player.
1.1. Childhood and Family Background
Charles Wade Barkley was born on February 20, 1963, and raised in Leeds, Alabama, approximately 17 mile east of Birmingham. He was notably the first Black baby born at a segregated, all-white hospital in his hometown and was part of the first group of Black students to attend his elementary school.
His parents divorced when he was young, after his father abandoned the family, which included his younger brother Darryl. His mother later remarried and had another son, John Glenn. Tragically, another brother, Rennie, died in infancy, and his stepfather was killed in an accident when Charles was 11 years old.
1.2. High School and College Career
Barkley attended Leeds High School. As a junior, he stood 5 in and weighed 220 lb (220 lb), failing to make the varsity team and being named a reserve. However, during the summer preceding his senior year, he experienced a significant growth spurt, reaching 6 in and earning a starting position on the varsity team. In his senior year, he averaged 19.1 points and 17.9 rebounds per game, leading his team to a 26-3 record and a spot in the state semi-finals. Despite this improvement, Barkley initially received little attention from college scouts until the state high school semi-finals, where he scored 26 points against Bobby Lee Hurt, Alabama's most highly recruited player. An assistant to Auburn University head coach Sonny Smith observed him at the game, reporting seeing "a fat guy... who can play like the wind." Barkley was soon recruited by Smith and pursued a business management major while attending Auburn University.
At Auburn, Barkley played collegiate basketball for the Auburn Tigers for three seasons. Despite struggling to control his weight, he excelled as a player and led the SEC in rebounding each year. He became a popular figure among fans, exciting them with powerful dunks and blocked shots that belied his lack of typical height and overweight frame. It was common to see the hefty Barkley grab a defensive rebound and, instead of passing, dribble the entire length of the court to finish with a two-handed dunk. His unique combination of physical size and skills earned him the nicknames "The Round Mound of Rebound" and "Crisco Kid." While officially listed at 6 in, Barkley stated in his book, I May Be Wrong but I Doubt It, that his actual height was 6 in. He played the center position, despite being shorter than most players at that position. Barkley became a member of Auburn's All-Century team and still holds the Auburn record for career field goal percentage with 62.6%. He received numerous awards, including the 1984 SEC Player of the Year, three All-SEC selections, one Second Team All-American selection, and the 1984 SEC Tournament MVP. The Birmingham Post-Herald later named him the SEC Player of the Decade for the 1980s.
In his three-year college career, Barkley averaged 14.1 points on 62.6% field goal shooting, 9.6 rebounds, 1.6 assists, and 1.7 blocks per game. In 1984, he led the Tigers to their first NCAA tournament in school history, where he contributed 23 points on 80% field goal shooting, 17 rebounds, four assists, two steals, and two blocks in a game. Auburn retired Barkley's No. 34 jersey on March 3, 2001.
Barkley was one of 74 college players invited to the spring tryouts for the 1984 U.S. Olympic team coached by Bob Knight. He made the initial cut to 20 players in April but was one of four players (along with John Stockton, Terry Porter, and Maurice Martin) released in May during the penultimate cut. According to coach Knight, Barkley was cut due to poor defense. In 2010, Barkley admitted that he had requested and received money from sports agents during his time at Auburn, calling the sums "chump change" and stating that he repaid all borrowed money after signing his first NBA contract.
2. Professional Basketball Career
Charles Barkley's professional basketball career spanned 16 seasons in the NBA, during which he played for three teams: the Philadelphia 76ers, the Phoenix Suns, and the Houston Rockets.
2.1. Philadelphia 76ers (1984-1992)
Barkley left Auburn before his senior year to enter the 1984 NBA draft. He was selected by the Philadelphia 76ers with the fifth pick in the first round, two slots after the Chicago Bulls drafted Michael Jordan. He joined a veteran-laden team that included established stars like Julius Erving, Moses Malone, and Maurice Cheeks, who had led Philadelphia to the 1983 NBA championship. Under Malone's mentorship, Barkley learned to manage his weight and properly condition himself for games; he frequently referred to Malone as "Dad" and cited him as the most influential player of his career.
In his rookie season, Barkley averaged 14.0 points and 8.6 rebounds per game during the regular season, earning a spot on the NBA All-Rookie First Team. In the postseason, the 76ers advanced to the Eastern Conference Finals but were defeated in five games by the Boston Celtics. As a rookie in the playoffs, Barkley averaged 14.9 points and 11.1 rebounds per game.
During his second year, Barkley's performance improved significantly following offseason workouts with Moses Malone. He became the team's leading rebounder and second-leading scorer, averaging 20.0 points and 12.8 rebounds per game. He solidified his position as the 76ers' starting power forward, helping to lead the team into the playoffs, where he averaged 25.0 points on 0.578 shooting from the field and 15.8 rebounds per game. Despite his efforts, Philadelphia was defeated 4-3 by the Milwaukee Bucks in the Eastern Conference Semifinals. He was named to the All-NBA Second Team for his performance.
Before the 1986-87 season, Moses Malone was traded, and Barkley began to assume control as the team leader. On November 4, 1986, Barkley recorded 34 points, 10 rebounds, and a career-high 14 assists in a 125-121 loss to the Indiana Pacers. On March 20, 1987, he posted 26 points, 25 rebounds (including a career-high-tying 16 offensive rebounds), and nine assists in a 116-106 win over the Denver Nuggets. He earned his first and only rebounding title, averaging 14.6 rebounds per game, and also led the league in offensive rebounds with 5.7 per game. He averaged 23.0 points on 0.594 shooting, earning his first trip to an NBA All-Star Game and All-NBA Second Team honors for the second straight season. In the playoffs, Barkley averaged 24.6 points and 12.6 rebounds in a losing effort, for the second straight year, to the Bucks in a five-game first-round playoff series.
The following season, Julius Erving announced his retirement, making Barkley the 76ers' undisputed franchise player. On November 30, 1988, Barkley recorded 41 points, 22 rebounds, five assists, and six steals in a 114-106 win over the Blazers. Playing in 80 games and logging 300 more minutes than his nearest teammate, Barkley had his most productive season, averaging 28.3 points on 0.587 shooting and 11.9 rebounds per game. He appeared in his second All-Star Game and was named to the All-NBA First Team for the first time in his career. His celebrity status led to his first appearance on the cover of Sports Illustrated. For the first time since the 1974-75 season, however, the 76ers failed to make the playoffs. In the 1988-89 season, Barkley continued his strong play, averaging 25.8 points on 0.579 shooting and 12.5 rebounds per game. He earned his third straight All-Star Game appearance and was named to the All-NBA First Team for the second straight season. Despite Barkley's contributions of 27.0 points on 0.644 shooting, 11.7 rebounds, and 5.3 assists per game, the 76ers were swept in the first round of the playoffs by the New York Knicks.
During the 1989-90 season, despite receiving more first-place votes, Barkley finished second in MVP voting behind the Los Angeles Lakers' Magic Johnson. He was named Player of the Year by The Sporting News and Basketball Weekly. He averaged 25.2 points and 11.5 rebounds per game and achieved a career-high 0.600 field goal shooting percentage. He was named to the All-NBA First Team for the third consecutive year and earned his fourth All-Star selection. He helped Philadelphia win 53 regular-season games, only to lose to the Chicago Bulls in a five-game Eastern Conference Semifinals series. Barkley averaged 24.7 points and 15.5 rebounds in another postseason loss. His exceptional play continued into his seventh season, where he averaged 27.6 points on 0.570 shooting and 10.1 rebounds per game. His fifth straight All-Star Game appearance was his best yet, as he led the East to a 116-114 win over the West with 17 points and 22 rebounds, the most rebounds in an All-Star Game since Wilt Chamberlain recorded 22 in 1967. Barkley was presented with Most Valuable Player honors at the All-Star Game and, at the end of the season, named to the All-NBA First Team for the fourth straight year. That year, when the New York Times asked the San Antonio Spurs center David Robinson if he would choose Barkley or Jordan for his side in a hypothetical pickup game, Robinson said, "I would pick Barkley. When he is on his game, I think he has the biggest impact ever." In the playoffs, Philadelphia lost again to Jordan's Bulls in the Eastern Conference Semifinals, with Barkley contributing 24.9 points and 10.5 rebounds per game.
The 1991-92 season was Barkley's final year in Philadelphia. In a gesture of respect and honor for Magic Johnson, who had announced before the season that he was HIV-positive, Barkley wore number 32 instead of his usual 34. Although the 76ers had previously retired number 32 in honor of Billy Cunningham, it was unretired with Cunningham's approval for Barkley to wear. Following Johnson's announcement, Barkley also publicly apologized for having made light of Johnson's condition. Responding to concerns that players might contract HIV through contact with Johnson, Barkley famously stated, "We're just playing basketball. It's not like we're going out to have unprotected sex with Magic."
In his final season with the 76ers, Barkley averaged 23.1 points on 0.552 shooting and 11.1 rebounds per game, earning his sixth straight All-Star appearance and a selection to the All-NBA Second Team, marking his seventh consecutive appearance on either the first or second team. He concluded his 76ers career ranked fourth in team history in total points (14,184), third in scoring average (23.3 ppg), third in rebounds (7,079), eighth in assists (2,276), and second in field-goal percentage (0.576). He led Philadelphia in rebounding and field-goal percentage for seven consecutive seasons and in scoring for six straight years. Although it was initially reported that Barkley had demanded a trade due to the 76ers' failure to make the postseason (with a 35-47 record), Barkley himself later clarified that he had not formally demanded a trade but was simply unhappy and wanted to leave. To avoid losing their superstar for nothing when his contract expired, the 76ers initiated a trade. An earlier trade to the Los Angeles Lakers was retracted just hours before it became official. On July 17, 1992, Barkley was officially traded to the Phoenix Suns in exchange for Jeff Hornacek, Tim Perry, and Andrew Lang.
During his eight seasons in Philadelphia, Barkley became a household name and was one of the few NBA players to have an action figure produced by Kenner's Starting Lineup toy line. He also had his own signature shoe line with Nike. His outspoken and aggressive play, however, led to several on-court incidents, most notably a fight with Detroit Pistons center Bill Laimbeer in 1990, which resulted in a then-record total fine of 162.50 K USD.
2.1.1. Spitting Incident
On March 26, 1991, during a game against the New Jersey Nets, Charles Barkley attempted to spit on a fan who was allegedly heckling him with racial slurs. However, his spit inadvertently struck a young girl sitting courtside. Rod Thorn, the NBA's president of operations at the time, suspended Barkley for one game without pay and fined him 10.00 K USD for spitting and verbally abusing the fan. The incident became a national story, and Barkley faced significant public criticism. Despite the controversy, Barkley eventually developed a friendship with the girl and her family, providing them with tickets to future games as part of his apology.
Reflecting on the incident after retirement, Barkley expressed his regret, stating, "I was fairly controversial, I guess, but I regret only one thing-the spitting incident. But you know what? It taught me a valuable lesson. It taught me that I was getting way too intense during the game. It let me know I wanted to win way too bad. I had to calm down. I wanted to win at all costs. Instead of playing the game the right way and respecting the game, I only thought about winning."
2.2. Phoenix Suns (1992-1996)
The trade to Phoenix in the 1992-93 season proved highly successful for both Barkley and the Suns. In his first game with the Suns, Barkley nearly recorded a triple-double, tallying 37 points, 21 rebounds (12 of them offensive), and 8 assists in a 111-105 victory over the Los Angeles Clippers. He averaged 25.6 points on 0.520 shooting, 12.2 rebounds, and a career-high 5.1 assists per game, leading the Suns to an NBA-best 62-20 record. For his exceptional contributions, Barkley won the league's Most Valuable Player Award, becoming only the third player ever to win MVP honors in the season immediately after being traded. He established multiple career highs and led Phoenix to their first NBA Finals appearance since 1976. Despite Barkley's confident proclamation to Jordan that it was "destiny" for the Suns to win the title, they were defeated by the Chicago Bulls in six games. Throughout the postseason, he averaged 26.6 points and 13.6 rebounds per game, including 27.3 points, 13.0 rebounds, and 5.5 assists per game in the championship series. In Game 4 of the Finals, Barkley recorded a triple-double with 32 points, 12 rebounds, and 10 assists.
As a result of severe back pains, Barkley began to speculate that the 1993-94 season would be his last in Phoenix. Playing through the worst injury problems of his career, Barkley still managed to average 21.6 points on 0.495 shooting and 11.2 rebounds per game. He was selected to his eighth consecutive All-Star Game but did not play due to a torn right quadriceps tendon, and he was named to the All-NBA Second Team. Despite Barkley's injuries, the Suns still achieved a 56-26 record and advanced to the Western Conference Semifinals. Despite holding a 2-0 lead in the series, the Suns lost in seven games to the eventual champions, the Houston Rockets, led by Hakeem Olajuwon. Despite his injuries, in Game 3 of a first-round playoff series against the Golden State Warriors, Barkley made 23 of 31 field-goal attempts and finished with 56 points, which was the then-third-highest total ever in a playoff game.
After contemplating retirement in the offseason, Barkley returned for his eleventh season and continued to battle injuries. He struggled during the first half of the season but gradually improved, earning his ninth consecutive appearance in the All-Star Game. He averaged 23 points on 0.486 shooting and 11.1 rebounds per game, leading the Suns to a 59-23 record. In the playoffs, despite having a 3-1 lead in the series, the Suns once again lost to the defending and eventual two-time champion Houston Rockets in seven games. Barkley averaged 25.7 points on 0.500 shooting and 13.4 rebounds per game in the postseason, but he was limited in Game 7 of the semifinals by a leg injury.
The 1995-96 season was Barkley's last with the Phoenix Suns. He led the team in scoring, rebounds, and steals, averaging 23.3 points on 0.500 shooting, 11.6 rebounds, and a career-high 0.777 free throw shooting percentage. He earned his tenth appearance in an All-Star Game as the top vote-getter among Western Conference players and posted his 18th career triple-double on November 22. He also became just the tenth player in NBA history to reach 20,000 points and 10,000 rebounds in their career. In the postseason, Barkley averaged 25.5 points and 13.5 rebounds per game in a four-game first-round playoff loss to the San Antonio Spurs. After the Suns closed out the season with a 41-41 record and a first-round playoff loss, Barkley was traded to Houston in exchange for Sam Cassell, Robert Horry, Mark Bryant, and Chucky Brown.
During his career with the Suns, Barkley consistently excelled, earning All-NBA and All-Star honors in each of his four seasons.
2.2.1. "I Am Not a Role Model" Controversy
Throughout his career, Barkley famously argued that athletes should not be considered role models. He challenged public expectations by stating, "A million guys can dunk a basketball in jail; should they be role models?" In 1993, his argument gained national attention when he wrote the text for his "I am not a role model" Nike commercial. Dan Quayle, the former Vice President of the United States, lauded it as a "family-values message" for Barkley's often-ignored call for parents and teachers to stop looking to him to "raise your kids" and instead be role models themselves.
Barkley's message sparked a significant public debate about the true nature of role models. He articulated his perspective by explaining: "I think the media demands that athletes be role models because there's some jealousy involved. It's as if they say, this is a young black kid playing a game for a living and making all this money, so we're going to make it tough on him. And what they're really doing is telling kids to look up to someone they can't become, because not many people can be like we are. Kids can't be like Michael Jordan."
2.3. Houston Rockets (1996-2000)
The trade to the Houston Rockets for the 1996-97 season represented Barkley's last significant opportunity to capture an NBA championship title. He joined a veteran team that included two of the NBA's 50 Greatest Players, Hakeem Olajuwon and Clyde Drexler. During his time with the Rockets, Barkley wore number 4, as his customary number 34 was retired by the team in honor of Hakeem Olajuwon. To start the season, Barkley was suspended for the season opener and fined 5.00 K USD for fighting Charles Oakley during an October 25, 1996, preseason game. After Oakley committed a flagrant foul on Barkley, Barkley responded by shoving Oakley. In his first regular-season game with the Houston Rockets, Barkley had a career-high 33 rebounds. He continued to battle injuries throughout the season and played only 53 games, missing 14 due to a laceration and bruise on his left pelvis, 11 because of a sprained right ankle, and four due to suspensions. He became the team's second-leading scorer, averaging 19.2 points on 0.484 shooting, marking the first time since his rookie year that he averaged below 20 points per game. With Olajuwon taking most of the shots, Barkley focused primarily on rebounding, averaging 13.5 per game, the second-best mark of his career. The Rockets ended the regular season with a 57-25 record and advanced to the Western Conference Finals, where they were defeated in six games by the Utah Jazz. Barkley averaged 17.9 points and 12.0 rebounds per game in another postseason loss.
The 1997-98 season was another injury-plagued year for Barkley. He averaged 15.2 points on 0.485 shooting and 11.7 rebounds per game. The Rockets ended the season with a 41-41 record and were eliminated in five games by the Utah Jazz in the first round of the playoffs. Limited by injuries, Barkley played only four games in the series and averaged career lows of 9.0 points and 5.3 rebounds in 21.8 minutes per game. During the lockout-shortened season, Barkley played 42 regular-season games and managed 16.1 points on 0.478 shooting and 12.3 rebounds per game. He became the second player in NBA history, following Wilt Chamberlain, to accumulate 23,000 points, 12,000 rebounds, and 4,000 assists in his career. The Rockets concluded the shortened season with a 31-19 record and advanced to the playoffs. In his last postseason appearance, Barkley averaged 23.5 points on 0.529 shooting and 13.8 rebounds per game in a first-round playoff loss to the Los Angeles Lakers. He concluded his postseason career averaging 23 points on 0.513 shooting, 12.9 rebounds, and 3.9 assists per game across 123 games.
The 1999-2000 season was Barkley's final year in the NBA. Initially, Barkley averaged 14.5 points on 0.477 shooting and 10.5 rebounds per game. Along with Shaquille O'Neal, Barkley was ejected from a November 10, 1999, game against the Los Angeles Lakers after O'Neal blocked a layup by Barkley, shoved him, and Barkley retaliated by throwing the ball at O'Neal. Barkley's season and career seemingly ended prematurely at the age of 36 after rupturing his left quadriceps tendon on December 8, 1999, in Philadelphia, where his career began.
Refusing to allow his career to end with the image of being carried off the court due to injury, Barkley returned after four months for one final game. On April 19, 2000, in a home game against the Vancouver Grizzlies, Barkley scored a memorable basket on an offensive rebound and putback, a common trademark during his career. He achieved his goal after being activated from the injured list and walked off the court to a standing ovation. He stated, "I can't explain what tonight meant. I did it for me. I've won and lost a lot of games, but the last memory I had was being carried off the court. I couldn't get over the mental block of being carried off the court. It was important psychologically to walk off the court on my own." After making the basket, Barkley immediately retired, concluding his sixteen-year Hall of Fame career. Notably, Allen Iverson, with whom Barkley had engaged in a public war of words years prior, attended Barkley's retirement press conference to express his respect.
2.4. Olympic Career
Barkley was invited by Bob Knight to try out for the United States men's basketball team for the 1984 Summer Olympics. He made it to the final cuts but was not selected for the team, despite outplaying almost all of the front-court players there. According to Knight, Barkley was ultimately cut due to poor defense.
Barkley later competed in the 1992 and 1996 Olympic Games, winning two gold medals as a member of the United States men's basketball team. International rules that previously prevented NBA players from participating in the Olympics were changed in 1992, allowing Barkley and other NBA players to compete for the first time. The team, famously nicknamed the "Dream Team", went 6-0 in the Olympic qualifying tournament and an undefeated 8-0 against Olympic opponents. The team averaged an Olympic record 117.3 points per game and won games by an average of 43.8 points, a margin only surpassed by the 1956 U.S. Olympic team. Barkley led the team with 18.0 points on 71.1% field goal shooting and set a then-Olympic single-game scoring record with 30 points in a 127-83 victory over Brazil. He also set a U.S. Men's Olympic record for the highest three-point field goal percentage with 87.5% and contributed 4.1 rebounds and 2.6 steals per game. During a controversial moment in the game versus Angola, Barkley elbowed Herlander Coimbra in the chest and was unapologetic after the game, claiming he was hit first. Barkley received an intentional foul on the play, and Coimbra's resulting free throw was the only point scored by Angola during a decisive 46-1 run by the U.S. team.
At the 1996 Atlanta Summer Olympic Games, Barkley once again played a leading role for the team, topping their charts in scoring, rebounds, and field goal percentage. He averaged 12.4 points on an impressive 81.6% field goal shooting, setting a new U.S. Men's Olympic record for shooting efficiency. Additionally, he contributed 6.6 rebounds per game. Under Barkley's leadership, the team again compiled a perfect 8-0 record and secured their second consecutive gold medal.
3. Player Profile and Characteristics
Charles Barkley primarily played the power forward position, although he occasionally showcased his versatility by playing small forward and center. He was known for his unusual physical build for a basketball player; while stockier than most small forwards, he was shorter than most power forwards he faced. Despite this, Barkley consistently outplayed both taller and quicker opponents due to his exceptional combination of strength and agility. He was often called "The Flying Refrigerator" (空飛ぶ冷蔵庫Soratobu ReizōkoJapanese) in Japan, a testament to his large size and remarkable athleticism.
Barkley was a prolific and highly efficient scorer, averaging 22.1 points per game during the regular season and 23.0 points per game in the playoffs throughout his career. He led the NBA in two-point field goal percentage every season from 1986-87 to 1990-91. He also topped the league in effective field goal percentage in both the 1986-87 and 1987-88 seasons, and in offensive rating in both the 1988-89 and 1989-90 seasons. As one of the NBA's most versatile players, Barkley was an accurate scorer capable of converting from anywhere on the court, establishing himself as a premier clutch player. His uncommon combination of skills made him a constant mismatch for opponents; he would utilize all facets of his game in a single play. As a scorer, he possessed the ability to score from both the perimeter and the post, employing a variety of spin moves and fadeaways, or finishing a fast break with a powerful dunk. He ranks among the most efficient scorers of all time, with a 54.13% career overall field goal percentage in the regular season and 51.34% in his playoff career, including a career-high season average of 60% during the 1989-90 NBA season.
Barkley is the shortest player in NBA history to lead the league in rebounding, achieving a career-high 14.6 rebounds per game during the 1986-87 NBA season. His tenacious and aggressive play, combined with his undersized frame that fluctuated between 284 lb (284 lb) and 252 lb (252 lb), cemented his legacy as one of the greatest rebounders in NBA history. He averaged 11.7 rebounds per game in the regular season and 12.9 rebounds per game in his playoff career, totaling 12,546 rebounds over his regular season career. Barkley led the NBA in offensive rebounding for three consecutive years and was renowned for his unique ability as a power forward to secure a defensive rebound, dribble the entire length of the court, and finish with a powerful dunk.
Barkley also possessed considerable defensive talents, characterized by an aggressive demeanor, impressive foot speed, and an innate capacity to read the floor and anticipate for steals. This allowed him to establish his career as the second all-time leader in steals for the power forward position and the leader of the highest all-time steal-per-game average for a power forward. Despite being undersized for both the small forward and power forward positions, he also finished among the all-time leaders in blocked shots. His speed and leaping ability made him one of the few power forwards capable of running down court to execute a chase-down block on a faster player.
In a SLAM magazine issue ranking NBA greats, Barkley was placed among the top 20 players of all time. In the magazine, NBA Hall-of-Famer Bill Walton commented on Barkley's unique ability: "Barkley is like Magic [Johnson] and Larry [Bird] in that they don't really play a position. He plays everything; he plays basketball. There is nobody who does what Barkley does. He's a dominant rebounder, a dominant defensive player, a three-point shooter, a dribbler, a playmaker." While often perceived as volatile due to his rough play, unconventional statements, and frequent trash-talking, Barkley possessed a rare high basketball IQ and a clever playing style, making him a formidable and unpredictable opponent. His sharp wit and sense of humor, despite his contentious reputation, contributed to his widespread popularity among fans.
4. Post-Playing Career
After retiring from his illustrious basketball career, Charles Barkley successfully transitioned into various roles, particularly as a prominent television analyst and through other media engagements.
4.1. Television Analyst
Since 2000, Barkley has served as a studio analyst for Turner Network Television (TNT). He appears on the network's NBA coverage during pre-game and halftime shows, in addition to special NBA events, and occasionally works as an onsite game analyst. He is a key member of the crew on Inside the NBA, a popular post-game show where Barkley, Ernie Johnson Jr., Kenny Smith, and Shaquille O'Neal recap and comment on NBA games and general league affairs. Barkley has won five Sports Emmy Awards for "Outstanding Studio Analyst" for his work on TNT.
A memorable on-air moment occurred during a game broadcast where Barkley, courtside with Marv Albert, playfully mocked NBA official Dick Bavetta's age. Albert challenged Barkley, stating, "I believe Dick would beat you in a footrace." In response, Barkley challenged Bavetta to a race at the 2007 NBA All-Star Weekend for 5.00 K USD, with the winner choosing a charity to which the money would be donated. The NBA contributed an additional 50.00 K USD, and TNT added 25.00 K USD. The pair raced for three and a half lengths of the basketball court, with Barkley ultimately winning. Following the event, the two shared a kiss in a public display of good sportsmanship.
In 2004, Barkley made history as the first-ever celebrity guest picker for College GameDay. Since 2011, he has also served as a studio analyst for the joint coverage of the NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament between Turner Sports and CBS, broadcasting every Final Four since. He also served as a guest commentator for NBC's coverage of the NFL Wild Card playoffs on January 7, 2012, the same night he hosted Saturday Night Live.
In November 2012, Barkley announced he was contemplating retirement from broadcasting, stating, "Now I'm like, 'Dude, you have been doing this for 13 years and if I make it to the end of the contract, it will be 17 years.' Seventeen years is a long time. It's a lifetime in broadcasting. I personally have to figure out the next challenge for me." He later repeated his intention to retire in 2016 but subsequently signed another contract with Turner Sports. He then stated he wanted to retire when he turned 60 in 2023. In October 2022, Barkley signed a 10-year contract extension with Warner Bros. Discovery Sports, the owner of TNT, to remain as an analyst on Inside the NBA. In June 2024, Barkley was also a guest studio analyst for Game 2 of the 2024 Stanley Cup Finals, broadcast by ABC and produced by ESPN. Later in June 2024, Barkley announced his intention to retire from television following the conclusion of the 2024-25 NBA season, but he reversed this decision in August, deciding to stay with TNT Sports on his ten-year, 210.00 M USD contract.
4.2. Other Media Appearances
From 2002 to 2003, Barkley hosted a sports and general topics talk show with guests on TNT called Listen Up! Charles Barkley with Ernie Johnson. In July 2016, it was announced that Barkley would host a six-episode unscripted show called The Race Card, which was later renamed American Race and premiered on TNT on May 11, 2017. The show explored various topics including race, religion, and sexuality. In the fall of 2023, Barkley began co-hosting a news discussion program titled King Charles alongside Gayle King on CNN. This was a limited-run series that aired on Wednesdays at 10pm, concluding in April the following year.
Barkley has also ventured into acting. He played himself in the 1996 film Space Jam. He made a brief appearance in episode 3 of the fifth season of the TV series Suits, where he was seen taking pictures with a client. He also appeared in the eighth season of Modern Family. Additionally, he voices animated versions of himself in Clerks: The Animated Series and We Bare Bears. In 2019, he appeared in "The Piña Colada Song" episode of The Goldbergs as a gym teacher and alien conspiracy theorist. Barkley has hosted Saturday Night Live on four separate occasions between 1993 and 2018.
Barkley has also been noted for his absence from the popular NBA 2K video game series in recent years, stating in interviews that he would not allow his likeness to be used unless the game developers paid retired players. Beyond this, Barkley made appearances in Japanese commercials for Acecook's 'Butakimuchi' instant ramen and even had a memorable commercial where he faced off against Godzilla for Nike.
5. Personal Life
Charles Barkley's public aspects of his private life include his family, known interests, and encounters with the law. A DNA test conducted and read by George Lopez on Lopez Tonight revealed Barkley to be 14% Native American, 11% European, and 75% African descent.
5.1. Family and Personal Interests
Barkley and Maureen Blumhardt reportedly first met in the mid to late 1980s when Barkley was playing for the Philadelphia 76ers. They married in 1989 and reside in Scottsdale, Arizona. His wife is an honorary member of the Phoenix-based organization, Fresh Start Women's Foundation. Their daughter, Christiana, was born in 1989 and named after the Christiana Mall in Delaware. She is married and has two children.
Barkley is publicly known for his compulsive gambling. In a 2007 interview with ESPN's Trey Wingo, Barkley revealed that he had lost approximately 10.00 M USD through gambling. He also admitted to losing 2.50 M USD "in a six-hour period" while playing blackjack. Although Barkley openly acknowledges his gambling, he claims it is not a serious problem because he can afford to support the habit. When asked by fellow TNT broadcaster Ernie Johnson Jr. about the issue, Barkley replied, "It's not a problem. If you're a drug addict or an alcoholic, those are problems. I gamble for too much money. As long as I can continue to do it I don't think it's a problem. Do I think it's a bad habit? Yes, I think it's a bad habit. Am I going to continue to do it? Yes, I'm going to continue to do it."
Despite suffering significant losses, Barkley also claims to have won on several occasions. During a trip to Las Vegas, he claimed to have won 700.00 K USD from playing blackjack and betting on the Indianapolis Colts to defeat the Chicago Bears in Super Bowl XLI. He stated, "No matter how much I win, it ain't a lot. It's only a lot when I lose. And you always lose. I think it's fun, I think it's exciting. I'm gonna continue to do it, but I have to get to a point where I don't try to break the casino 'cause you never can." In May 2008, the Wynn Las Vegas casino filed a civil complaint against Barkley, alleging that he failed to pay a 400.00 K USD debt stemming from October 2007. Barkley took responsibility for the delay in repayment and promptly paid the casino. After repaying his debt, Barkley stated during a pregame show on TNT, "I've got to stop gambling... I am not going to gamble anymore. For right now, the next year or two, I'm not going to gamble... Just because I can afford to lose money doesn't mean I should do it." He is also known for a humorous bet with Kenny Smith where he had to kiss a donkey's rear end on live television after Yao Ming scored 20 points, a threshold Barkley had set.
Barkley began playing golf during his NBA career, continuing with the sport as a way to maintain a competitive outlet after his basketball career ended. He is a regular competitor at the American Century Championship pro-am tournament, frequently finishing near the bottom of the leaderboard. He is widely regarded as a poor golfer with a particularly bad swing. He later underwent training to improve his swing, which led to an improved performance in the 2021 American Century Championship. Barkley participated in Champions for Change, the third iteration of The Match. As part of a team with Phil Mickelson, Barkley achieved a major upset, defeating Peyton Manning and Stephen Curry by a score of 4-3. He is also a close friend and rival of Michael Jordan, often playing golf together.
5.2. Legal Issues
Outside of basketball games, Barkley has been involved in several confrontational situations. In 1991, he was arrested for breaking a man's nose during a fight after a game with the Milwaukee Bucks. In 1997, he was arrested for throwing a man through a plate-glass window in Orlando, after being struck with a glass of ice.
On December 31, 2008, Barkley was pulled over in Scottsdale, Arizona, for running a stop sign. The officer detected alcohol on his breath and administered field sobriety tests, which Barkley failed. He was arrested on drunk driving charges, and his vehicle was impounded. Barkley refused to submit a breath test but was given a blood test. He was cooperative and respectful throughout the incident, according to Gilbert police, who noted he was treated no differently than anyone arrested on DUI charges. The police report stated that Barkley told the police he was in a hurry to receive oral sex from his female passenger when he ran through the stop sign. Test results released by the police showed that Barkley had a blood-alcohol level of 0.149, nearly twice the legal limit of 0.08 in Arizona. Two months after his arrest, Barkley pleaded guilty to two DUI-related counts and one count of running a red light. He was initially sentenced to ten days in jail and fined 2.00 K USD. The sentence was later reduced to three days after Barkley entered an alcohol treatment program. As a result of his arrest, Barkley took a two-month hiatus from his commentating duties for TNT. During his absence, T-Mobile elected not to air previously scheduled ads featuring Barkley. However, shortly after his return to TNT on February 19, 2009, T-Mobile once again began airing ads featuring Barkley.
In 2011, Barkley became a spokesman for WeightWatchers, promoting their "Lose Like a Man" program and appearing in both television and online advertisements.
6. Public Stances and Social Commentary
Charles Barkley is widely recognized for his outspoken views and activism on a range of social and political issues, often expressing independent and sometimes controversial opinions.
For many years, Barkley publicly identified with the Republican Party. In 1995, he even considered running as a Republican candidate for Alabama's governorship in the 1998 election. However, in 2006, he shifted his political stance, famously stating, "I was a Republican until they lost their minds." At a July 2006 meeting, Barkley gave credence to the idea of running for Governor of Alabama, explaining: "I'm serious. I've got to get people to realize that the government is full of it. Republicans and Democrats want to argue over stuff that's not important, like gay marriage or the war in Iraq or illegal immigration... When I run-if I run-we're going to talk about real issues like improving our schools, cleaning up our neighborhoods of drugs and crime and making Alabama a better place for all people." In September 2006, he reiterated his desire to run for governor in 2014, noting he needed to reside in Alabama for seven years and was actively looking for a house there. In July 2007, he publicly endorsed Barack Obama in the 2008 presidential election. By September 2007, during a broadcast on Monday Night Football, Barkley announced he had purchased a house in Alabama to satisfy residency requirements for a 2014 campaign for governor, and declared himself an Independent, not a Democrat, remarking, "The Republicans are full of it... The Democrats are a little less full of it."
In February 2008, Barkley formally announced his intention to run for Governor of Alabama in 2014 as an Independent during an interview with CNN. However, he began to back off the idea in a November 24, 2009, interview on The Jay Leno Show, and by 2010, he confirmed he would not be running in 2014. In August 2015, Barkley announced his support for Republican John Kasich in the 2016 presidential election. In a 2019 podcast interview with Lance Armstrong, he confirmed he would not be running for office.
Barkley has consistently supported LGBT rights. In 2006, he told Fox Sports: "I'm a big advocate of gay marriage. If they want to get married, God bless them." Speaking to Wolf Blitzer on CNN two years later, he criticized certain Christians, stating: "Every time I hear the word 'conservative,' it makes me sick to my stomach, because they're really just fake Christians, as I call them. That's all they are... I'm for gay marriage. It's none of my business if gay people want to get married. I'm pro-choice. And I think these Christians, first of all, they're not supposed to judge other people. But they're the most hypocritical judge of people we have in the country. And it bugs the hell out of me. They act like they're Christians. They're not forgiving at all." During a 2011 Martin Luther King Jr. Day broadcast on TNT, Barkley responded to a statement made by Dr. King's daughter Bernice by saying, "People try to make it about black and white. [But] he talked about equality for every man, every woman. We have a thing going on now, people discriminating against homosexuality in this country. I love the homosexuality people. God bless the gay people. They are great people." Barkley has stated on multiple occasions that he has played with several gay teammates, notably responding to Celtics player Jason Collins coming out in 2013 by saying, "I think anybody who thinks they never played with a gay player is an idiot." In 2022, a video surfaced of Barkley speaking at an event where he made comments vehemently in favor of the LGBT community: "I want to say this. If you're gay and transgender, I love you. And if anybody gives you sh-t, you tell them Charles said 'f--k you.'" He also publicly spoke out against the 2023 Bud Light boycott in the United States, which was primarily led by conservatives opposing the brand's endorsements by transgender actress Dylan Mulvaney; Barkley stated he would buy Bud Light for the crowd at a celebrity golf tournament in Lake Tahoe and condemned the boycotters as "rednecks."
Regarding race and police reform, commenting on the Ferguson unrest in 2014, Barkley called the Ferguson looters "scumbags," praised police officers working in Black neighborhoods, and expressed support for the grand jury's decision not to indict officer Darren Wilson in the Michael Brown shooting. Previously, in 2013, Barkley had also agreed with the acquittal of George Zimmerman in the Trayvon Martin shooting. In 2014, when asked about the rumor that Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson was being accused of not being "black enough," Barkley controversially stated on a radio show: "Unfortunately, as I tell my white friends, we as black people, we're never going to be successful, not because of you white people, but because of other black people. When you're black, you have to deal with so much crap in your life from other black people... And for some reason we are brainwashed to think, if you're not a thug or an idiot, you're not black enough. If you go to school, make good grades, speak intelligent, and don't break the law, you're not a good black person. And it's a dirty, dark secret... We're the only ethnic group who say, 'Hey, if you go to jail, it gives you street cred.'"
Barkley has been a vocal critic of President Donald Trump since his Republican nomination in the 2016 U.S. presidential election. He expressed disgust towards the rhetoric Trump promoted during the campaign. In September 2017, when President Trump called out former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick for his kneeling during the U.S. National Anthem, Barkley voiced his complete disappointment in President Trump, though Barkley himself has stated he does not support athletes kneeling during the National Anthem as a form of protest. In December 2017, Barkley mocked President Trump's tax bill, stating, "Thank you Republicans, I knew I could always count on y'all to take care of us rich people, us one percenters. Sorry, poor people. I'm hoping for y'all, but y'all ain't got no chance." In his response to the controversy generated by the removal of Confederate monuments, highlighted by the August 2017 Unite the Right rally in Charlottesville, Virginia, Barkley stated:
"I've never thought about those statues a day in my life. I think if you asked most black people to be honest, they ain't thought a day in their life about those stupid statues. What we as black people need to do: We need to worry about getting our education, we need to stop killing each other, we need to try to find a way to have more economic opportunity and things like that. Those things are important and significant. You know, I'm wasting time and energy [if I'm] screaming at a neo-Nazi, or [saying] 'Man, you've got to take this statue down.'"
Barkley supported Democrat Doug Jones in the 2017 United States Senate special election in Alabama, noting that Jones' opponent, Roy Moore, was a "complete embarrassment to the state."
While Barkley supports police and prison reforms, he spoke out against defunding the police in 2020, asking rhetorically, "Who are black people supposed to call? The Ghostbusters?". After the killing of Breonna Taylor, Barkley expressed sadness for her loss of life but added that "we do have to take into account that her boyfriend shot at the cops and shot a cop," making her situation not "like George Floyd or Ahmaud Arbery." Also in 2020, Barkley expressed concern that sports were becoming overly political, stating, "My concern is turning this into a circus instead of trying to do some good stuff," and that "The last thing they want to do is turn on the television and hear arguments all the time." During the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, Barkley said that "You'd have to be a fool to think your kids will be safe in school right now," but argued that keeping children at home would widen the gap between the rich and the poor. He also 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. In an interview, Barkley said if he ruled the world for one day, he would get rid of both Republicans and Democrats because "They're both awful... They fight all of the time like little kids."
7. Legacy and Honors
Charles Barkley's legacy is defined by his dominating presence on the basketball court, his outspoken personality, and his continued influence as a public figure.
7.1. Overall Evaluation
During his 16-year NBA career, Charles Barkley was regarded as one of the most controversial, outspoken, and dominating players in basketball history. His impact on the sport extended beyond his rebounding titles, assists, scoring, and physical play. His confrontational mannerisms often led to technical fouls and fines on the court, and his larger-than-life persona sometimes gave rise to national controversy off of it, such as when he was featured in advertisements that rejected pro athletes as role models and famously declared, "I am not a role model." Although his words often sparked controversy, Barkley maintained that his mouth never caused them because it always spoke the truth, stating, "I don't create controversies. They're there long before I open my mouth. I just bring them to your attention."
Beyond his on-court altercations with other players, he exhibited confrontational behavior off-court. He was arrested for breaking a man's nose during a fight after a game with the Milwaukee Bucks and for throwing a man through a plate-glass window in Orlando after being struck with a glass of ice. Despite these incidents, Barkley continues to be popular with fans and media due to his charisma and unfiltered commentary. While often perceived as volatile due to his rough play, unconventional statements, and frequent trash-talking, Barkley possessed a rare high basketball IQ and a clever playing style, making him a formidable and unpredictable opponent. His sharp wit and sense of humor, despite his contentious reputation, contributed to his widespread popularity among fans.
7.2. Honors and Awards
As a player, Charles Barkley was a perennial All-Star who earned league MVP honors in 1993. His physical style of play earned him the nicknames "Sir Charles" and "The Round Mound of Rebound," and in Japan, "The Flying Refrigerator" (空飛ぶ冷蔵庫Soratobu ReizōkoJapanese). He was named to the All-NBA Team eleven times throughout his career (5 First Team selections, 5 Second Team selections, and 1 Third Team selection). He also earned two gold medals as a member of the United States Olympic Basketball team, leading both the 1992 "Dream Team" and the 1996 Men's Basketball team in scoring and playing a crucial role in their perfect 16-0 combined record. He retired as one of only a few players in NBA history to record at least 20,000 points, 10,000 rebounds, and 4,000 assists in their career. As of 2023, he holds the 12th highest Player Efficiency Rating (PER) in NBA history and is 14th in win shares.
In 1996, as part of the NBA's 50th Anniversary, Barkley was honored as one of the 50 greatest players of all time by being named to the NBA's 50th Anniversary Team. In recognition of his collegiate and NBA achievements, Barkley's number 34 jersey was officially retired by Auburn University on March 3, 2001. In the same month, the Philadelphia 76ers also officially retired Barkley's number 34 jersey. On March 20, 2004, the Phoenix Suns honored Barkley by including him in the "Suns Ring of Honor", where his number 34 was honored. In recognition of his achievements as a player, Barkley was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2006 for his individual playing career, and again in 2010 as a member of the 1992 "Dream Team". In October 2021, as part of the NBA's 75th Anniversary, Barkley was honored as one of the 75 greatest players of all time by being named to the NBA's 75th Anniversary Team. To commemorate the NBA's 75th Anniversary, The Athletic ranked their top 75 players of all time, naming Barkley as the 22nd greatest player in NBA history. He also received the SEC Player of the Year award in 1984 and was named to the All-American Third Team by the NABC in the same year. He also won the NBA All-Star Game MVP in 1991.
8. Career Statistics and Records
8.1. Regular Season Statistics
| Year | Team | GP | GS | MPG | FG% | 3P% | FT% | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | PPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1984-85 | Philadelphia | 82 | 60 | 28.6 | .545 | .167 | .733 | 8.6 | 1.9 | 1.2 | 1.0 | 14.0 |
| 1985-86 | Philadelphia | 80 | 80 | 36.9 | .572 | .227 | .685 | 12.8 | 3.9 | 2.2 | 1.6 | 20.0 |
| 1986-87 | Philadelphia | 68 | 62 | 40.3 | .594 | .202 | .761 | 14.6 | 4.9 | 1.8 | 1.5 | 23.0 |
| 1987-88 | Philadelphia | 80 | 80 | 39.6 | .587 | .280 | .751 | 11.9 | 3.2 | 1.3 | 1.3 | 28.3 |
| 1988-89 | Philadelphia | 79 | 79 | 39.1 | .579 | .216 | .753 | 12.5 | 4.1 | 1.6 | .9 | 25.8 |
| 1989-90 | Philadelphia | 79 | 79 | 39.1 | .600 | .217 | .749 | 11.5 | 3.9 | 1.9 | .6 | 25.2 |
| 1990-91 | Philadelphia | 67 | 67 | 37.3 | .570 | .284 | .722 | 10.1 | 4.2 | 1.6 | .5 | 27.6 |
| 1991-92 | Philadelphia | 75 | 75 | 38.4 | .552 | .234 | .695 | 11.1 | 4.1 | 1.8 | .6 | 23.1 |
| 1992-93 | Phoenix | 76 | 76 | 37.6 | .520 | .305 | .765 | 12.2 | 5.1 | 1.6 | 1.0 | 25.6 |
| 1993-94 | Phoenix | 65 | 65 | 35.4 | .495 | .270 | .704 | 11.2 | 4.6 | 1.6 | .6 | 21.6 |
| 1994-95 | Phoenix | 68 | 68 | 35.0 | .486 | .338 | .748 | 11.1 | 4.1 | 1.6 | .7 | 23.0 |
| 1995-96 | Phoenix | 71 | 71 | 37.1 | .500 | .280 | .777 | 11.6 | 3.7 | 1.6 | .8 | 23.2 |
| 1996-97 | Houston | 53 | 53 | 37.9 | .484 | .283 | .694 | 13.5 | 4.7 | 1.3 | .5 | 19.2 |
| 1997-98 | Houston | 68 | 41 | 33.0 | .485 | .214 | .746 | 11.7 | 3.2 | 1.0 | .4 | 15.2 |
| 1998-99 | Houston | 42 | 40 | 36.3 | .478 | .160 | .719 | 12.3 | 4.6 | 1.0 | .3 | 16.1 |
| 1999-00 | Houston | 20 | 18 | 31.0 | .477 | .231 | .645 | 10.5 | 3.2 | .7 | .2 | 14.5 |
| Career | 1,073 | 1,012 | 36.7 | .541 | .266 | .735 | 11.7 | 3.9 | 1.5 | .8 | 22.1 | |
| All-Star | 11 | 7 | 23.2 | .495 | .250 | .625 | 6.7 | 1.8 | 1.3 | .4 | 12.6 | |
8.2. Playoff Statistics
| Year | Team | GP | GS | MPG | FG% | 3P% | FT% | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | PPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1985 | Philadelphia | 13 | 2 | 31.4 | .540 | .667 | .733 | 11.1 | 2.0 | 1.8 | 1.2 | 14.9 |
| 1986 | Philadelphia | 12 | 12 | 41.4 | .578 | .067 | .695 | 15.8 | 5.6 | 2.3 | 1.3 | 25.0 |
| 1987 | Philadelphia | 5 | 5 | 42.0 | .573 | .125 | .800 | 12.6 | 2.4 | .8 | 1.6 | 24.6 |
| 1989 | Philadelphia | 3 | 3 | 45.0 | .644 | .200 | .710 | 11.7 | 5.3 | 1.7 | .7 | 27.0 |
| 1990 | Philadelphia | 10 | 10 | 41.9 | .543 | .333 | .602 | 15.5 | 4.3 | .8 | .7 | 24.7 |
| 1991 | Philadelphia | 8 | 8 | 40.8 | .592 | .100 | .653 | 10.5 | 6.0 | 1.9 | .4 | 24.9 |
| 1993 | Phoenix | 24 | 24 | 42.8 | .477 | .222 | .771 | 13.6 | 4.3 | 1.6 | 1.0 | 26.6 |
| 1994 | Phoenix | 10 | 10 | 42.5 | .509 | .350 | .764 | 13.0 | 4.8 | 2.5 | .9 | 27.6 |
| 1995 | Phoenix | 10 | 10 | 39.0 | .500 | .257 | .733 | 13.4 | 3.2 | 1.3 | 1.1 | 25.7 |
| 1996 | Phoenix | 4 | 4 | 41.0 | .443 | .250 | .787 | 13.5 | 3.8 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 25.5 |
| 1997 | Houston | 16 | 16 | 37.8 | .434 | .289 | .769 | 12.0 | 3.4 | 1.2 | .4 | 17.9 |
| 1998 | Houston | 4 | 0 | 21.8 | .522 | .000 | .571 | 5.3 | 1.0 | 1.3 | .0 | 9.0 |
| 1999 | Houston | 4 | 4 | 39.3 | .529 | .286 | .667 | 13.8 | 3.8 | 1.5 | .5 | 23.5 |
| Career | 123 | 108 | 39.4 | .513 | .255 | .717 | 12.9 | 3.9 | 1.6 | .9 | 23.0 | |
8.3. NBA Records
Charles Barkley holds several notable NBA records:
- Most offensive rebounds in a half: 13, against the New York Knicks on March 4, 1987.
- Most offensive rebounds in a quarter: 11, against the New York Knicks on March 4, 1987.
- Tied with Larry Smith (Golden State Warriors vs. Denver Nuggets, March 23, 1986).
- Shortest player to lead the league in rebounds: at 6 in.
- Most free throws made in a half: 19, against the Seattle SuperSonics on June 5, 1993.
- Most free throw attempts in a 7-game series: 100, against the Milwaukee Bucks in the 1986 Eastern Conference Semifinals.
- Most turnovers in a 7-game series: 37, against the Milwaukee Bucks in the 1986 Eastern Conference Semifinals.
9. Works
Charles Barkley has authored or contributed to several books, sharing his insights and experiences:
- In 1991, Barkley collaborated with sportswriter Roy S. Johnson on the autobiographical work Outrageous. Barkley famously quipped that he had been "misquoted in his own autobiography" regarding some editorial choices made in the book.
- In 2000, Barkley wrote the foreword for Sports Illustrated columnist Rick Reilly's book The Life of Reilly. In it, Barkley humorously remarked, "Of all the people in sports I'd like to throw through a plate glass window, Reilly's not one of them. It's a shame though, skinny white boys look real aerodynamic."
- In 2002, Barkley released the book I May Be Wrong, But I Doubt It, which included editing and commentary by his close friend, journalist Michael Wilbon.
- Three years later, Barkley published Who's Afraid of a Large Black Man?, a collection of interviews with prominent figures in entertainment, business, sports, and government. Michael Wilbon also contributed to this book and was present at many of the interviews.