Charles Barkley took aim at a proposed NCAA rule change that could allow college athletes to bet on professional sports.
Key Takeaways
- Charles Barkley criticized the NCAA's plan to let college athletes bet on professional sports.
- He warned it could encourage players to gamble on their own teams.
- The proposed rule awaits final approval and could take effect Nov. 1.
Speaking at Auburn University's Bruce, Barkley & Basketball Golf Classic, the NBA legend called the proposal "a joke," expressing disbelief that college sports officials would even consider the idea, per AL.com. Barkley argued that permitting student-athletes to wager, even on non-collegiate events, would create an untenable environment and further damage the reputation of college athletics.
He questioned how regulators can expect players to stay within legal boundaries, warning that it would only increase the risk of players betting on their own teams or campuses.
“These are the people we have running college sports, and we want to know why it’s a s--t show. Anybody who thinks that’s a good idea should have their head examined,” he said.
Barkley's remarks come as the NCAA weighs a proposal adopted by its Division I Administrative Committee that would remove current restrictions on athlete gambling activity. The measure still needs approval from Divisions II and III before potentially taking effect Nov. 1.
"We've already got an issue with kids gambling now when they shouldn't be gambling," he added.
NCAA reveals more basketball betting scandals
Barkley may have been referring to the most recent college betting scandal, as the NCAA disclosed in mid-September that 13 men's basketball players from six universities are under investigation for illegal gambling activity, including betting against their own teams. The violations span Eastern Michigan, Temple, Arizona State, New Orleans, North Carolina A&T, and Mississippi Valley State.
Some athletes manipulated scores, shared inside information, and refused to cooperate with investigators.
"The rise of sports betting is creating more opportunity for athletes across sports to engage in this unacceptable behavior, and while legalized sports betting is here to stay, regulators and gaming companies can do more to reduce these integrity risks by eliminating prop bets and giving sports leagues a seat at the table when setting policies," NCAA president Charlie Baker said at the time.
Barkley eyes Alabama casino as state gambling debate reignites
Regardless of his apprehensions about student gambling, Barkley is eyeing casino ownership in his home state. He expressed interest in joining an African American investment group to acquire a majority stake in a potential Alabama casino, should lawmakers approve the expansion of gambling.
Earlier this year, state senators worked to rally the 21 votes needed to pass a comprehensive gambling bill that included casinos, sports betting, and a regulatory commission.
Sen. Bobby Singleton confirmed that Black legislators want provisions ensuring at least one casino under African American majority ownership. While the Alabama House previously passed a similar measure, the Senate fell one vote short, leaving the proposal in limbo.
A subsequent, scaled-back version failed to advance this spring, marking the latest setback in the long-running effort to legalize gambling in the state.
