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BEDMINSTER, N.J. — Charles Barkley predicts the battling LIV Golf Series and PGA Tour will eventually work out some kind of peace agreement, ending the bitter feud dividing the global golf industry.
“There’s no doubt in my mind at some point both of these tours are going to be working together. I think they need to,” said Barkley.
“It’s inevitable that they will be working together. I understand the PGA Tour protecting itself and taking a bunch of cheap shots at these guys. But at some point they’re going to be working together.”
Barkley said it’s also “inevitable” that LIV will land a U.S. TV deal: “They’re going to keep getting big names.”
The superstar TNT analyst made his predictions here Thursday before teeing off for the pro-am at LIV’s second U.S. event at Trump National Golf Club Bedminster.
The longtime star of “Inside the NBA” reported no movement on LIV chief executive officer Greg Norman’s attempt to hire him as a commentator. Barkley recently met Norman for dinner.
“I’m in a great situation. I got a great job. But they haven’t mentioned anything to me. And I’m glad to play in this tournament,” said Barkley, noting his Turner Sports contract runs through 2025.
At the same time, Barkley doesn’t want to “keep TNT in limbo.” It’s possible Barkley will have to choose between TNT or LIV. Or he could negotiate a deal where he works for both. “Turner has been great to me,” he noted.
Meanwhile, Barkley has had to settle down sponsors like Subway, Capital One, AT&T and Dick’s Sporting Goods that are concerned about him joining LIV.
“I tell (sponsors), ‘Let it play out before you overreact.’”
Given he could lose those sponsors, it would require a hefty offer from LIV to get Barkley to leave TNT. “I’m not leaving my job unless there’s a lot of money involved. Nobody leaves a job for less money.”
The outspoken Barkley also pushed back against the “selective outrage” at the Saudi-backed LIV.
The Hall of Famer “sympathizes” with survivors and 9/11 families still struggling with one of the worst days in U.S. history. But he noted many large U.S.companies such as Berkshire Hathaway and BofA have also done plenty of business with Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund.
“I don’t see the outrage at those companies. I want to know why they [are] specifically picking out the golfers.”
Barkley’s the most popular personality on sports TV. Hiring him as a commentator would be a game-changer for LIV as it tries to improve its image with fans and the media.
Will Staeger, LIV’s Chief Media Officer, declined to comment on the talks except to say: ”Charles Barkley is a tremendously influential figure in sports media. I’m personally a huge fan of what he does with NBA coverage on TNT.”
If LIV does make him an offer, Barkley’s first phone call would be to host and friend Ernie Johnson Jr.
“I’d say, ‘Ernie, this is the situation, tell me what you think.’ Because Ernie’s like the Godfather.”
Barkley is not the only one who believes the feuding tours will eventually work out some kind of modus vivendi.
Respected golf analyst Peter Kostis noted that dueling sports leagues like the NFL and AFL and NBA and ABA have previously come together. It wouldn’t surprise Kostis to see the PGA Tour eventually include innovations that sprang from LIV.
Former President Donald Trump also made an appearance at his club Thursday, teeing off in a group with Dustin Johnson and Bryson DeChambeau.
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