TNT analyst and former NBA star Charles Backley has terminated his contract with the Saudi-backed LIV golf league. New York Post reports.
“I want to thank Greg Norman and LIV for their interest in me,” Barkley said. Mail. “I wish these guys great success and all the best. But being fair to Turner is in my favor – because Turner and basketball have given me everything in my life – I would rather go ahead and stay with Turner for the rest of my television career.”.
Earlier this week, Barkley told host Dan Patrick that he would end contract negotiations with the organization if he did not receive an offer from LIV by the end of his performance at LIV Pro-Am on Thursday.
“I’ll give them a while. The deadline is Thursday. I’m playing Pro-Am on Thursday,” Barkley told Patrick. “I will not keep TNT in limbo. I don’t think it’s fair to them. They were very happy when I came to play there on Thursday. I will not be an invisible pony. Don’t waste my time. I won’t waste your time. When I leave New Jersey on Thursday night, when I leave the golf course, it’s over if I don’t have an offer.”
“When I left New Jersey on Thursday night when I left the golf course (#LIVE Pro-AM), if I don’t get an offer, it’s over.”
-Charles Barkley, bid deadline #LIVE pic.twitter.com/hfPdZPzGHc
— The Dan Patrick Show (@dpshow) 25 July 2022
Barkley told Patrick he hoped LIV would offer him “crazy” money.
Charles Barkley discusses which proposal to accept #LIVE Navigate to get. pic.twitter.com/RGyj4igK22
— The Dan Patrick Show (@dpshow) 25 July 2022
But his bold questioning of prices and ultimatums seems to have alienated the Saudis.
On the other hand, Barkley’s cursed game with the Saudi-backed golf league may have hurt his wallet but helped his soul. Earlier this month, Barkley made a strong statement in support of the LGBT community, saying, “If you’re gay or transgender, I love you. And if someone hurts you, tell them Charles’ “Fuck you!” say what you said.
Charles Barkley: “If you’re gay or transgender, I love you. And if someone hurts you, tell them Charles’ “Fuck you!” say what you said.
— Ballislife.com (@Ballislife) 16 July 2022
Frankly, since Saudi Arabia is one of the worst places in the world for gay rights, the Saudis and their golf league representatives can make a “fuck you” claim to Barkley. Considering Barkley’s strongly pro-LGBT statements, accepting contract offers was absolutely hypocritical.
He no longer has to worry about this morally compromising position.
Of course, despite his notorious anti-LGBT stances, he has demonstrated his willingness to take money from the Saudis, proving that their “value” yields to their lust for money.
So he’s still a hypocrite.
Source: Breitbart
