UPDATE: Basketball Hall of Famer Charles Barkley has publicly condemned the NFL for scheduling games on Christmas Day, a day traditionally dominated by the NBA. Barkley’s remarks come as the NFL partners with Netflix to host two games during the day, with an additional matchup airing on Amazon Prime Video at night, directly competing with the NBA’s holiday lineup.
Barkley expressed his frustration on ESPN, stating, “The NFL got greedy and started adding Christmas games. 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.” His comments highlight the growing tension between the two leagues as the NFL expands its reach into territories traditionally reserved for basketball.
The NFL’s strategy to encroach on Christmas, a day typically reserved for NBA festivities, is raising eyebrows among sports fans and analysts alike. In recent years, the NFL has claimed Thanksgiving Day as its own, but this is the first time it has ventured into Christmas territory, creating a significant clash with the NBA’s established dominance.
Barkley previously criticized the NFL in January 2024 for airing a playoff game exclusively on Peacock, calling the move “low class.” He elaborated, “I’m glad some NFL players are taking some shots at them … 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.”
This escalation in competition between the NFL and NBA reflects a larger trend in professional sports where leagues are vying for viewers and advertising dollars. As the NFL continues to dominate discussions around sports viewership, plans for an 18th game in the regular season are rumored to be on the table, potentially moving the Super Bowl to Presidents’ Day in the future. This could further intensify the rivalry for audience attention and engagement.
Fans are left wondering how this new dynamic will impact sports schedules and viewing habits moving forward. With the NFL’s increasing influence, the landscape of sports entertainment is rapidly evolving, challenging the status quo held by traditional basketball celebrations on Christmas.
As this story develops, the sports community watches closely. Will the NFL’s Christmas Day games continue to disrupt the NBA’s holiday traditions, or will the basketball league find a way to reclaim its festive footing? Stay tuned for more updates as this story unfolds.
