The former NBA MVP has is one of the highest-paid and most popular analysts in sports broadcasting and he has never been shy of sharing a controversial opinion.
An on-screen co-star with Shaquille O’Neal on TNT’s Inside the NBA, Barkley is known for his sense of humour and entertaining style of analysis.
Discussing the tradition of championship-winning US sports team being invited to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue for an audience with the president, the ex-Philadelphia 76ers and Phoenix Suns star said personal politics should be put aside.
“Even though I disagree with President Trump on some things, if I met him, I would still give him the respect and dignity he deserves,” he said on TNT’s The Steam Room podcast.
“It bothers me when these teams don’t want to go to the White House. When did we reach a point as a country when we were like, ‘We’re not going to the White House because we don’t like who is in there?’
