Charles Barkley recently challenged ESPN to terminate his contract following his comments on Cardi B’s notable performance during halftime at Game 3 of the NBA Finals.
During a Wednesday segment of the “Dan Patrick Show,” the outspoken sports analyst expressed, “Honestly, I’m hoping they let me go.”
He added, “I’ve got another six or seven years on my contract, which I know I won’t fulfill. It would be fantastic if they fired me and had to pay me out for those years.”
At 63, Barkley mentioned that no executives have reached out to him regarding his statements. Nevertheless, he’s fully aware of the stir he caused online.
“Can’t people handle a joke?” he asked rhetorically. “They can kiss my ass. I value all the support over the years, but anyone who agrees with them is simply misguided.”
“So if people don’t like me or don’t have a sense of humor, they can kiss my ass,” the retired NBA star continued.
Cardi B, meanwhile, took the court to perform her hits “Bodak Yellow” and “Bodega Baddie” during the halftime of the New York Knicks vs. San Antonio Spurs match at Madison Square Garden in New York City on Monday.
The Grammy winner, 33, performed in a plunging bustier and leggings alongside Knicks City Dancers, and Barkley couldn’t help but add in some commentary.
“I don’t know if those B’s. They might be Cardi D’s,” he quipped, referring to the hitmaker’s chest size.
“I’m pretty sure those aren’t B’s,” Barkley continued.
The media personality’s “Inside the NBA” co-hosts, Kenny Smith, Shaquille O’Neal and Ernie Johnson, laughed at the remarks, as Johnson stated, “I don’t know who said that, but I know it wasn’t me.”
Barkley continued the bit, saying, “She’s got the wrong initials.”
The remarks caused a divide, with one person calling Barkley out, writing, “The man is a grown adult on national television reducing a performer to her body like it’s 1995. It’s not funny, it’s not clever, it’s just sad.”
“Only Chuck can say something that wild and still be loved for it,” another added.
The fourth game of the NBA finals will occur on June 10, with Wu-Tang Clan performing and Taylor Swift to be amongst the star-studded attendees, Page Six exclusively reported.