Remember when Charles Barkley said, “I’m not a role model?” He wants to change that. The NBA analyst is making big moves towards media mogul status with ‘Round Mound Media’. It existed since 2018, but he’s finally developing new productions in collaboration with the Jeff Zucker-backed, ‘EverWonder Studio’. With this deal, Chuck is accomplishing his goal of bringing positive role models to the media. He wants to showcase to people that he is different from his unfiltered persona on ‘TNT’ which excites him.

During his recent appearance on Jim Jackson’s show, he explained the primary purpose of Round Mound Media. “I want to put a positive black in position to be successful,” he said, “We’re never gonna do trash.” This is different from his regular TV gig where he’s blatantly calling players ‘stupid’ and roasting entire cities to infamy.

Despite canceling retirement and renewing his commitment to TNT, Chuck has one foot into retirement. Round Mound Media is part of his post-TV plans. But he specifically chose to produce documentaries and shows for an important cause.

“I hate black trash on television,” he says several times throughout the show. “I hate it ‘cuz I think that especially when people got money, you’re supposed to be helping people make money. Not making your people look bad.” Barkley further added that he will be very strict about the content curation alongside Zucker, a former TNT exec.

How fans react to Barkley’s deviation from his regular image remains to be seen. Yet it’s an interesting move to collaborate with someone who’s aware of Barkley’s work on TNT. Zucker knows very well Chuck is stepping way out of his box with this.

Two sides to Charles Barkley

During the prime of his NBA career and Dream Team fame, ‘The Round Mound of Rebound’ notoriously said, “I am not a role model.” It was the origin of one of Nike’s most famous ad campaigns in 1993. Charles Barkley’s statement sparked a major debate in 1991 and again in 1993, but he maintained, “Just because I dunk a basketball doesn’t mean I should raise your kids.”

30 years later, 62-year-old Chuck is still his outspoken trash-talking self. He comfortably calls TNT a “bunch of dummies,” ESPN is “stupid,” and NCAA are “idiots.” He can roast Kendrick Perkins for his 5 PPG and liken him to a roach. The Warriors are still “cooked” in his opinion and are stuck on the ‘bus driver’ take about Kevin Durant. And don’t even bring up San Antonio around him.

Barkley is sticking with TNT and unfiltered antics as an analyst. But he’s going to be a different producer. Chuck wants to show hardworking people of color in roles like doctors and administrators and hopes that viewers would find diverse positive role models. But he’s not going to advertise himself as one.