‘We can’t ask these politicians nothing’: Charles Barkley slams Baker over fed help for NCAA deals

NEW YORK- — Less than a month into his tenure as NCAA president, former Massachusetts governor Charlie Baker is making waves - and ruffling the feathers of at least one basketball legend.

Baker appeared in a pre-taped studio interview Thursday with CBS Sports analysts Clark Kellogg and Greg Gumbel to discuss his top priorities as the NCAA’s new head. Baker quickly focused on the topic of student-athlete Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deals, proclaiming a desire to better protect the players and their families.

“I would really like to see some sort of uniform, standard contract, so that when somebody signs it, they know they’re signing the same kind of agreement everybody else is signing,” he said.

In July 2021, the NCAA approved the new NIL policy that would allow student-athletes to be compensated for their name, image and likenesses used in branding or marketing. For high-profile athletes, the race to find the greatest offer has opened up a bidding war for companies.

When Gumbel questioned Baker about how he aims to develop greater protections, Baker said he would “talk with the folks in Washington about this.”

While Baker clarified that the NCAA would need to assemble its own protection program regardless, he reiterated that federal aid would be the easiest path to nationwide regulation.

“The only problem with it is, if the feds do it, all 50 states comply. If we do it, we have to perhaps nudge some states and their collegiate programs into participating because they may have state laws that don’t require that they play,” explained Baker.

When the program cut back to the live studio, viewers saw a displeased Barkley shaking his head.

“Did he say we’re going to ask the politicians to help us? See, that pisses me off already, Our politicians are awful people... I would actually go to people who actually care about basketball... I would put a committee together... We can’t ask these politicians nothing’. Those people are awful people. Democrats and Republicans- they’re all crooks,” said Barkley.

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