After eating with LIV CEO Greg Norman Wednesday, Charles Barclay regarded like a person he could be Prepared to affix the Saudi-backed tour as a broadcaster.
In an intensive interview with The Publish, Barkley mentioned he believes there may be “selective anger” in critics who go after LIV Golf and feels it might be hypocritical to not contemplate being a part of the brand new tour if the cash is true.
As additional proof that he is critical about LIV, he’ll play within the Professional-Am portion of subsequent week’s LIV occasion at Trump Nationwide in Bedminster, New Jersey.
After eating with Norman at Italian restaurant Pricci in Atlanta, Barclay then expects the Australian golfer to pitch for him to be on maintain. Barkley, one of many 50 best NBA gamers of all time, spearheaded TNT’s “Contained in the NBA” because it turned an iconic sports activities studio present.
In response to sources, Barkley is beneath contract with Turner for an additional three years and a sum of $30 million.
“In an excellent situation, I might do each issues,” Barclay advised the newspaper. “I don’t know the way the Turner sponsors will really feel about it. I do know there might be some setbacks.”
Barkley mentioned he spoke with Norman in regards to the Saudi-led group behind LIV Golf. The Saudi authorities has been accused of the homicide of Washington Publish journalist Jamal Khashoggi, in addition to different human rights abuses.
“I advised [Norman]Barclay mentioned. “Pay attention, they make up phrases like ‘blood cash’ and ‘sports activities wash.’ I mentioned, ‘We have all taken ‘blood cash’ and all of us have a ‘sports activities wash’ factor so I do not like these phrases, to be sincere with you.
“If you happen to play an expert sport, you are taking sort of cash from a not-so-great trigger.”
When requested if the The NBA’s relationship with China One instance he was referring to was, Barkley replied, “Sure, I do not wish to follow selective anger.”
As a follow-up, Barclay was requested if it might be totally different should you have been to obtain a examine from the Saudi authorities.
“Now, these are semantics,” Barkley mentioned. “I am a Nike man too, so I am not going to do this factor the place I decide and select what I get mad at, the place my cash comes from. I simply do not assume that is truthful. I feel that makes you a hypocrite.
“And to be truthful, all of those golf rounds have been performed in Saudi Arabia and China. That was my view.”
Nonetheless, the best way every little thing is completed isn’t just all the way down to Barkley. He has endorsement offers with Capital One, Subway and Dick’s Sporting Items. When tales emerged that Barkley was assembly with LIV Golf, his sponsors referred to as him.
“They checked in with me,” Barkley mentioned. “What I mentioned to Subway and Capital One and Dick’s Sporting Items, I mentioned to him, ‘Wait a minute. I did not signal something. I have not met the man. Let’s let this factor occur earlier than you all name me upset.'”
“Between the quantity you simply talked about [$10 million per year] And all my commercials, for me to danger all of it, there needs to be some critical cash coming my manner.”
LIV has added well-known golfers resembling Phil Mickelson, Dustin Johnson and Brooks Koepka, whereas it has employed Arlo White on YouTube broadcasts, As The Publish reported earlier this weekDavid Verti. Each have been beforehand on NBC Sports activities. The PGA Tour has dominated that LIV gamers can’t take part of their occasions.
LIV continues to forge forward with the Saudis’ seemingly limitless cash, telling Norman Barclay {that a} TV deal is predicted.
“I feel he thinks they will get a TV deal,” Barkley mentioned. “I am positive they’re going to get a TV deal, too. Somebody’s going to step ahead sooner or later.”
“I feel it is sort of quite a lot of various things, to be sincere with you. I do not assume it is one factor particularly, however I feel the principle factor is to make use of my character”
Previous to assembly Norman, Barclay consulted with Michael Welbone, Mark Cuban, Ahmed Rashad, Bryant and Greg Gumble.
“These are the blokes who’ve guided me all through my profession,” Barclay mentioned. “I obtained all their opinions about it, and so they did not see any drawback with me taking this assembly – and I am glad they did.”