Charles Barkley “Hated” TNT Co-Host Ernie Johnson’s Unbeatable Rival, Makes Hilarious Confession

Rivals transcend the field when it comes to sports broadcasting since the world moves quickly. Occasionally, they boil in the background, resulting in hilarious situations and surprising disclosures. A case in point is NBA great Charles Barkley’s prior “hatred” against well-known sportscaster Bob Costas. But the real tale behind Barkley’s contempt reveals an unexpected turn of events involving Ernie Johnson, another TNT co-host.

Barkley’s casual tone suggests a deeper sense of camaraderie among coworkers in the cutthroat world of sports media. In between Barkley’s humorous antics are signs of the bonds of trust that develop among peers, which go beyond competitive times. However, what secret rivalry existed between NBA great Charles Barkley and the respected expert Bob Costas?

The uncensored personality of Charles Barkley in sports media

Known for his direct approach both on and off the court, Charles Barkley has never held back when airing his opinions. Charles Barkley, widely recognized as “Sir Charles” and hailed as “the Round Mound of Rebound,” has won over many fans in the worlds of basketball and sports media by his charming demeanor. Additional proof that he is a beloved character in sports broadcasting comes from his appearance on TNT’s Inside the NBA. Among Barkley’s colorful on-screen character is an uncommon tale of his old grudges, which arose in an open admission about his previous affections for Bob Costas.

As the conversation unfolded on a YouTube video of “CNN,” 61-year-old icon, Charles Barkley found himself amid a candid exchange with Costas in the episode, “Charles Barkley: Millennials ruined the NBA”. With a playful tone, Barkley quipped, “Well, I will admit, I used to hate you.” He continued, “This is actually true. Okay, Ernie Johnson was in the same category with Bob. Oh, yeah, and we’d have to sit there Like, it’s all right, Ernie. Bob won every year. So I’m just, I did hate you for a minute.”

Respect for Ernie Johnson speaks emotions

Barkley’s affection for fellow TNT co-host Ernie Johnson is the surprising cause of the discovery of his alleged “hatred” for Bob Costas. In light of his previous feelings for Costas, Barkley unveiled a hilarious revelation during a conversation about the NBA’s development. Barkley described how Costas’s repeated victories at particular broadcasting prizes caused him to temporarily develop hatred.

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Respected for his many contributions to sports commentary, Ernie Johnson turns out to be the surprising impetus behind Barkley’s admission. Barkley humorously links his early dislike of Costas to his backing of Johnson as he reflects on those days. During the conversation, Bob Costas expressed, “Eventually, Ernie won a handful himself and he deserves every one of them. He’s terrific.” Charles Barkley further voiced, mentioning, “But you’re just reading the stuff you covered. Yes. That’s just amazing. Amazing.” The star’s admission gains some humor from this disclosure, which also sheds insight into the complex nature of working relationships in the sports media industry.

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