Charles Barkley Calls ESPN Televising Bronny James HS Games ‘Ultimate Exploitation’

Charles Barkley has always been known for openly sharing his opinions. Monday night was no different. Barkley commented on LeBron James spending the day at Bronny James high school basketball game.

He had no issue with the Los Angeles Lakers superstar attending the game, even though James told reporters it did break his pre-game routine. Barkley was criticizing ESPN’s decision to broadcast 15 high school basketball games, calling it exploitation.

LeBron Bronny James Jr. and Zaire Wade, son of new TNT host Dwyane Wade, play for Sierra Canyon. That’s probably the reason why ESPN is broadcasting 15 of the team’s games throughout this season. As a comparison, other college or NBA teams getting more preferential treatment on ESPN2. Some not even there.

Barkley said he wasn’t sure high school games should be on TV.

“We always talk about college players being exploited. This is the ultimate exploitation.

“What is the financial incentive other than the network making money on these high school kids?” Barkley asked. “We always complain about these college teams making all this money. … You’re making money on college kids. Now you’re making money on high school kids.”

Shaquille O’Neal disagreed.

“Oh stop it, it’s good basketball, let it go,” O’Neal said. “Stop whining. Two powerhouse [teams].”

LaVar Ball Was Also A Target

Barkley has also called out LaVar Ball for exploiting his kids.

“Everybody talking about how he might be a good father, this and that. No he’s not. He’s just exploiting his kids. … He’s all about Big Baller Brand. He has no foreseeable talent. He’s trying to make money on his kids, and I just feel sadness for those kids because they’re going to do whatever he tells them to do. I just don’t like the guy at all, plain and simple. And don’t tell me he’s a good father. Just because you exploit your kids, trying to make money because you have no talent, that does not make you a good father. That makes you exploiting your kids. And I don’t like the guy at all.”