Auburn Icon Shares Candid Thoughts on Investments
NBA Hall of Famer Charles Barkley is a passionate advocate for Auburn, often voicing his support on national platforms. But just like any true fan, he knows where to draw the line.
On a recent episode of “Don’t @ Me” alongside Dan Dakich from Outkick.com, Barkley laid bare his thoughts on the evolving world of NCAA athletics and Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deals. Nowadays, it’s not uncommon for college programs to shell out upwards of $1 million annually in a bid to assemble championship-caliber rosters. Barkley shot down the notion of donating to Auburn’s NIL fund, explaining that such contributions wouldn’t enrich his life in any meaningful way.
“I’d go above and beyond for Auburn, but only to a certain extent. I’m not about to fork over millions so we can excel in football or basketball. That just doesn’t add value to my life,” Barkley expressed.
He continued by sharing his philanthropy, emphasizing donations to HBCUs and local charities in Leeds, Alabama, like “Blight,” which helps revitalize homes in the Greater Birmingham area. These causes hold more significance for him than college sports, which he calls a “cesspool,” primarily due to the lack of return on investment.
“The idea that we need to fork over millions to attract young athletes, and have them bouncing between schools like free agents every year—it’s absurd. We don’t even have that flexibility in the NBA. Can you imagine if NBA players could renegotiate their contracts every season?” Barkley exclaimed. “I fully support players getting paid, don’t get me wrong. But this concept of dishing out tens of millions to entice college players is downright ludicrous. In basketball, you might only have a top-tier player for a few months. It’s hard to see how that makes financial sense.”
For the complete interview with Barkley, check out the segment below.
Stay connected with us by following TheAuburnWire on X (Twitter), and be sure to like our Facebook page for continuous coverage on Auburn—news, insights, and opinions. You can also find Taylor on Twitter at @TaylorJones__.
