BELOW SUPERNAV drop zone ⇩

Barkley says ‘100%’ he’ll talk deal with controversial LIV Golf

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, NEVADA – JULY 9: Former NBA player Charles Barkley tees off on the 15th hole during round one of the American Century Championship at Edgewood Tahoe South golf course on July 9, 2020 in South Lake Tahoe, Nevada. (Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images)

MAIN AREA TOP drop zone ⇩

MAIN AREA TOP drop zone ⇩

ovp test

mLife Diagnostics LLC: Oral Fluid Drug Testing

Male shot by female at Shreveport apartment

Class to create biodiverse backyard

Rules for outbursts at Caddo School Board Meeting

BE - Test Share

More Sports

(NewsNation) — NBA Hall-of-Famer Charles Barkley is known for many things, least of which, oddly enough, might be his legendary might on the basketball court.

The boisterous basketball star turned media personality has never been bashful about anything, especially money. Nor has the “Chuckster” ever shied away from talking about his golf game. And that is why the LIV Golf league, with its deep pockets, is trying to lure Barkley to its ranks for a media role.

“I am 100% going to meet with LIV,” Barkley said of the controversial Saudi-funded golf league. “Everyone is calling it blood money. Let me be clear: All money is blood money. We all take blood money.”

If Barkley takes his huge personality (and unorthodox golf swing) to LIV, he will not be the first major star to do so.

ST ANDREWS, SCOTLAND – JULY 15: Dustin Johnson of the United States reacts at the 5th tee during Day Two of The 150th Open at St Andrews Old Course on July 15, 2022 in St Andrews, Scotland. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

Golf powerhouses such as Phil Mickelson, Dustin Johnson, Bryson DeChambeau and Brooks Koepka have already exited the PGA Tour to join LIV, reportedly raking in extremely lucrative deals to do so.

LIV has been cloaked in controversy since its inception, thanks to the league’s nearly $2 billion in funding from the Saudi government. Human rights activists and 9/11 advocacy groups have been critical of athletes who have made the jump to LIV, citing the Saudi government’s checkered history of human rights abuses.

Not all golf stars have been quick to jump on board with LIV for huge paychecks, however.

Tiger Woods turned down a massive offer from LIV, and PGA Tour fan favorite Rory McIlroy has not been shy in voicing his displeasure with LIV and the PGA Tour pros who have led an exodus to it.

ST ANDREWS, SCOTLAND – JULY 15: Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland tees off on the 6th hole during Day Two of The 150th Open at St Andrews Old Course on July 15, 2022 in St Andrews, Scotland. (Photo by Warren Little/Getty Images)

Before the start of this week’s 150th British Open at St. Andrews, Scotland, where LIV golfers and PGA pros are competing, McIlroy lashed out at the LIV and those who joined the league.

“In my opinion … there’s no room in the golf world for LIV Golf. Let’s put it that way,” McIlroy said in a press conference. “I don’t agree with what LIV is doing. If LIV went away tomorrow, I’d be super happy. My stance hasn’t softened on that.”

Sports

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed

Site Settings Survey

 

MAIN AREA MIDDLE drop zone ⇩

Trending on NewsNation

MAIN AREA BOTTOM drop zone ⇩

tt

KC Chiefs parade shooting: 1 dead, 21 shot including 9 kids | Morning in America

Witness of Chiefs parade shooting describes suspect | Banfield

Kansas City Chiefs parade shooting: Mom of 2 dead, over 20 shot | Banfield

WWE star Ashley Massaro 'threatened' by board to keep quiet about alleged rape: Friend | Banfield

Friend of WWE star: Ashley Massaro 'spent hours' sobbing after alleged rape | Banfield

Clear

la

56°F Clear Feels like 56°
Wind
1 mph ENE
Humidity
57%
Sunrise
Sunset

Tonight

A clear sky. Low around 50F. Winds light and variable.
50°F A clear sky. Low around 50F. Winds light and variable.
Wind
2 mph NNE
Precip
1%
Sunset
Moon Phase
Waxing Gibbous