Why is Charles Barkley commentating on hockey?

[ZJuice]

He was in Space Jam

 

[Barkkonen]

he is twice the man he used to be

 

[I am not exposed]

I think its great.

 

[HabsWhiteKnightLOL]

put on youtube Charles Barkley and San Antonio , dude is a gem alongside Shaq. NBA lucky to have them w hile we have Subban and 80 year olds dinosaur who still thinks of the 70s hockey

 

[tarheelhockey]

Charles has put in the work to promote this game over the years. Disappointing thread.

 

[SettlementRichie10]

Because he’s an American sports treasure and a legitimate fan and brings millions of more eyes to hockey.

The fact a thread like this even exists shows how backwards and out of touch the average hockey fan is.

 

[JianYang]

Because he's fun?

 

[Toonces]

Because he's fun?

Exactly.

The man is a joy to listen to.

 

[The Shovel Penguin]

Charles was talking hockey on TV at least as far back as 2017 when the Pens played Nashville. He got into watching hockey when playing in Philadelphia for the Sixers and would go to Flyers games during the Hextall days.

Charles is a treasure and I’d love to go to a game with him. “The refs were turrible!”

 

[JP Mick]

Your mom was unavailable for comment.

 

[byrath]

Those intermission panels are typically boring as heck so that adds some flavor to it

I would argue that the intermission panels suck because they spend too much time trying to add 'flavor' vs just talking intelligently about hockey like they're capable of

 

[Herregud]

I would argue that the intermission panels suck because they spend too much time trying to add 'flavor' vs just talking intelligently about hockey like they're capable of

There are specific resources for sports nerdism, but I can assure you that the NHL would die the fastest death if the panels consisted entirely of hockey-brained eggheads. Most people would turn that shit off and never return to watching the game because they got distracted by whatever they did to get away from it.

The world runs on casuals.

 

[mattihp]

They got the idea from hf posters bringing up achievements of non-hockey players in hockey threads.

He does ok tho.

 

[Chips]

1. Barkley is actually a big hockey fan

2. Sports fans are big fans of Charles Barkley

 

[No Fun Shogun]

I would argue that the intermission panels suck because they spend too much time trying to add 'flavor' vs just talking intelligently about hockey like they're capable of

The difference is that, frankly unlike most hockey players and talking heads, Barkley actually has a personality and entertaining things to say. I agree that some numbskull trying to inject their forced persona into the conversations during the intermissions comes off as pretty inane, but Barkley is the real deal and is an entertaining guy to watch talk even when he’s (often) talking nonsense.

 

[Prettyisland]

Hockey fans will gate keep the game then bitch that it’s not popular

 

[GKJ]

because he can

 

[DaveG]

One of the biggest and most universally loved personalities of all time from another sport, as both a player and broadcaster, just so happens to be a huge hockey fan. Why wouldn't the NHL want to have him in the booth at intermission? Guy's been a hockey fan longer than most of the people on this board have and he's frequently promoted the sport on NBA panels.

 

[Hasbro]

Chuckles can do as he pleases.

 

[Tryamw]

I’d assume it’s because they’re paying him. Can’t really think of any other explanation.

Espn paying a TNT talent.... pretty sure that's NOT in his contract

 

[Fatass]

1. Barkley is actually a big hockey fan

2. Sports fans are big fans of Charles Barkley

Like to see Barkley and Bieksa together. Be great entertainment. Two smart guys with quick wits.

 

[End of Line]

 

[Coffey]

Just like the title.

Why?

Shut up and jam.

 

[Voight]

Whats the issue? Chuck has a huge following and is one of the most popular figures in basketball. He gives the league exposure. We need more of this, not less.

 

[seafoam]

He's helping grow the game in the sun belt, he can reach audiences all the way from Atlanta to San Antonio.