Charles Barkley: "I'm not stupid enough" to play pickleball

Ah, Sir Charles.

A great American commentator. A voice that permeates sports culture, and sometimes upsets the women of San Antonio. Known for his phenomenal golf swing and almost winning multiple NBA Championships.

And now we can stop wondering what he thinks about pickleball.

Charles Barkley Chose Golf Over Pickleball—And His Reason Is Peak Barkley

If you ever wondered why Charles Barkley hasn't joined the seemingly endless parade of celebrities falling in love with pickleball, wonder no more.

After a late-night Inside the NBA broadcast, Barkley caught a 7 a.m. flight to Birmingham to play in a Pro-Am before the PGA Champions Tour’s first major, The Tradition. In classic Chuck fashion, the Hall of Famer and sports analyst gave a hilariously unfiltered explanation that’s now making the rounds.

He must not own any mirrors.

Forget that pickleball is the fastest-growing sport in America. Forget that it’s attracted names like LeBron, Brady, Mahomes, and Draymond. Barkley’s not interested in cross-court dinks or ernes. He’s just not trying to share a court with someone who remembers the Truman administration.

He went on to say he prefers golf because he can “play with his friends” and drink beer. A fair point. If pickleball figures out how to serve Michelob Ultras between side-outs, maybe we revisit this conversation.

Isn't that what pickleball is known for? Someone should tell him.

Pickleball’s Celebrity Glow-Up, Minus Chuck

Barkley’s comments come at a time when pickleball is firmly embedded in the cultural zeitgeist. From big-money pro leagues like MLP and PPA, to celebrity-backed ownership groups and TV specials, the sport is no longer just a retirement home pastime. As we covered recently on The Dink (Tom Brady buys MLP franchise, NFL players can't get enough of pickleball) and [The NBA-to-MLP pipeline], athletes across sports have been flocking to pickleball both as players and investors.

Still, Barkley’s “old people” quip lands in a funny gray area—one where he's kind of right, kind of wrong, and kind of just being Barkley. Because yes, pickleball was born on a suburban driveway and is beloved by retirees. But it's also the sport where 16-year-olds are taking home six-figure purses, and the energy on center court feels more like a music festival than a nursing home.

Final Thought: The Invitation’s Still Open

Chuck may not be ready to enter the dink wars, but we’d still love to see him mic’d up at a PPA event. Imagine Barkley vs. Andre Agassi in a pro-am grudge match, beer in hand, line calls optional.

And if Barkley ever changes his mind? There’s a paddle waiting for him. Just maybe not at the senior center.