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Charles Barkley flips bird to fans booing him during NBA All-Star Game pregame on TNT

IMG_6598by:Nick Kosko•02/16/25•

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Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

Charles Barkley simply does not care what you think of him and if you throw anything his way, the NBA Hall of Famer will give it right back.

During TNT’s pregame coverage of the NBA All-Star Game Sunday, the live crowd behind the set began booing Barkley. Host Ernie Johnson pleaded, at first, for the crowd to end the booing and the NSFW chants.

Well, Barkley seemingly had the last laugh because he doesn’t give a (bleep). We censored it for the children! Check out the video below.

Looks like the San Francisco area fans didn’t like Barkley this weekend. But how could you not love Chuck? Anyways, Barkley’s future as a broadcaster was a much discussed topic.

Inside The NBA, which is on TNT, is set to be licensed to ESPN in the next NBA TV deal and NBC and Amazon reportedly made pushes to sign Barkley.

Barkley opted to stay with Turner Sports. ABC and ESPN have the rights to the hit show on TNT, beginning for the 2025-26 season. With that said, Barkley hasn’t committed to staying with the show as it transitions to ESPN. He doesn’t want his workload to increase as the show changes networks.

“The only thing I’m waiting on right now, between TNT and ESPN, I met with ESPN. Those guys were amazing. I want to thank those guys for taking the time. And I just met with the TNT people. I’m hoping that this thing comes together where I can stay with TNT and ESPN,” Barkley said. “But as I’ve said, it’s all going to be dictated on my workload. I’m not going to work more as I get older.”

He has previously said that he doesn’t want to appear on shows and podcasts as much as ESPN personality Stephen A. Smith does.

Barkley added that he will consult with several friends in the business, including some who work at ESPN, before making a final decision about his future.

“I have a good group of friends – Mike Wilbon, Tony Kornheiser, Bryant Gumbel, Ahmad Rashad. I’ve always asked their opinion on what I should do television wise,” Barkley explained. “Those guys have been great friends and mentors. And like I said, I’m going to sit down with those guys, ‘Hey, this is what TNT and ESPN are offering me as far as a workload.’ So I just wanted to get that off my chest.”