Charles Barkley is once again generating buzz on social media after a candid admission about his stance on NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) funding for Auburn University, his alma mater.
The NBA Hall of Famer and longtime “Inside the NBA” analyst, who starred at Auburn in the 1980s, has consistently supported the school, especially during the men’s basketball team’s rise under head coach Bruce Pearl. However, during a recent interview with WJOX-FM’s “McElroy and Cubelic in the Morning” in Birmingham, Alabama, Barkley made it clear that there are limits to his financial support.Calling the idea that he would contribute “legal or illegal” millions annually to Auburn “the stupidest thing” he’s ever heard, Barkley didn’t hold back.
“I’ve been rich for a long time. I plan to stay that way,” he said. “But the notion that I’m going to give Auburn millions of dollars every year so we can be good at sports — that’s just not going to happen.”
With an estimated net worth of \$80 million, Barkley emphasized that while he will continue donating to Auburn, his support won’t extend to pouring millions into the school’s NIL collective, despite the men’s basketball team’s recent Final Four appearance.
“I’m really proud of what I’ve given Auburn and I’m going to continue to give them money,” Barkley said, “but I’m not going to give them millions of dollars every year so we can be good at sports. That’s just stupid.”
His remarks quickly went viral online. One social media user quipped, “Barkley blowing up his own school’s collective is peak Charles Barkley,” while others debated whether his stance was justified or shortsighted. Some speculated his comments were prompted by pressure from Pearl for more NIL funding amid recent player departures, and others called for clearer NCAA regulations around NIL contributions.