Charles Barkley Criticizes NFL’s Christmas Day Games, Defends NBA’s Holiday Tradition
PHILADELPHIA, Pa. — Charles Barkley, the outspoken Basketball Hall of Famer, has taken aim at the National Football League for scheduling multiple games on Christmas Day, a move he says infringes on what has traditionally been an NBA-centric holiday. Barkley’s comments come as the NFL continues to expand its presence on the holiday, a shift that has stirred debate among sports fans and analysts alike.
“The NFL got greedy and started adding Christmas games,” Barkley said during an appearance on ESPN as the NBA tipped off its Christmas schedule. “We used to have this day to ourselves, but Roger Goodell and them pigs at the NFL always want to hog every day of the week now. Christmas is an NBA day.”
This year, the NFL featured three games on Christmas Day, a relatively new development as the league historically reserved Thanksgiving as its marquee holiday showcase. The NFL partnered with streaming giants Netflix and Amazon Prime Video to broadcast two daytime games and one evening game, respectively, signaling a strategic push to capture holiday viewership.
The NBA, by contrast, has long owned Christmas Day television, with marquee matchups that have become a staple for basketball fans. Barkley’s defense of the NBA’s holiday tradition underscores the tension between the leagues as they vie for audience attention during prime viewing windows.
Barkley’s criticism is not new. In January 2024, he publicly condemned the NFL for airing a playoff game exclusively on Peacock, calling the decision “low class” and accusing the league of greed for forcing fans to subscribe to a streaming service. “I’m glad some NFL players are taking some shots at them,” Barkley said at the time on ESPN Radio. “I know the NFL is the biggest thing in the world, but to put this game on Peacock and make people have to buy Peacock, that’s just low class. I’m disgusted.”
The NFL’s expansion into Christmas Day games is part of a broader strategy to increase its footprint, especially as discussions continue around adding an 18th regular-season game. Such a change could further extend the league’s schedule into holidays traditionally dominated by other sports, including the NBA and college football.
According to the NFL’s official site, the league’s partnership with streaming platforms aims to reach younger audiences who consume sports differently than previous generations. Meanwhile, the NBA continues to promote its Christmas Day slate as a marquee event, often featuring star-studded matchups that draw millions of viewers.
The NFL’s move has also sparked discussion about the commercialization of holidays and the balance between sports entertainment and family traditions. The NBA’s Christmas Day tradition dates back decades and is seen by many as an integral part of the holiday experience.
As the NFL’s presence on Christmas grows, Barkley’s remarks highlight the cultural significance of sports scheduling and the passionate loyalties fans hold toward their respective leagues. Whether the NFL’s holiday games will eventually eclipse the NBA’s Christmas showcase remains to be seen, but for now, Barkley’s voice adds to the ongoing conversation about sports, tradition, and the commercialization of the holiday season.
For more on the NFL’s evolving schedule and its impact on sports broadcasting, visit the ESPN NFL coverage and the official NFL news page.
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