Charles Barkley has never been one to shy away from bold opinions, and his latest suggestion for the NBA calendar is no exception. The Hall of Famer and TNT analyst believes the league should consider starting its season on Christmas Day, a move he argues could help the NBA avoid competing with the NFL and college football during the early months of its schedule.
“The best ratings we’ve ever had was the year we went on strike and started on Christmas,” Barkley said, referring to the 2011-2012 lockout-shortened season. “I think we need to seriously consider starting at Christmas because you are wasting your time going up against the NFL and college football. They own the weekends now.”
The Logic Behind Barkley’s Proposal
Barkley’s argument centers on the dominance of football in the fall. From September through December, the NFL and college football command massive audiences, leaving the NBA to compete for attention during its opening months. By starting on Christmas, Barkley believes the NBA could make its debut during a time when fans are eager for basketball after months of football saturation.
Historically, Christmas Day games have been some of the NBA’s most-watched matchups, featuring marquee teams and players in high-profile showdowns. Barkley envisions the league capitalizing on that momentum to kickstart its season in December, with less overlap with football and a clear path to dominate the summer months when only Major League Baseball is in play.
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Fans React
The proposal has sparked intense debate among fans and analysts, with opinions split on whether Barkley’s idea is practical or beneficial for the league.
Some fans echoed Barkley’s sentiment, seeing a December start as a way to improve ratings and focus attention on basketball.
- “NBA starting on Christmas and ending right before football starts would be perfect,” one fan tweeted.
- “Been saying this… start on Christmas and dominate the summer where only baseball is on,” added another.
Others, however, raised concerns about the logistical challenges and potential conflicts with other events.
- “Agree, but big problem with this is that if the Finals are in August, every four years you’re running up against the Olympics. Even a July Finals would make it difficult. I also imagine TV providers wouldn’t want the playoffs going head-to-head with the Olympics either,” one fan noted.
- “That would be fire, but owners aren’t going for it. The extra millions they make from October to December pay their taxes. They don’t care about better ratings,” another user speculated.
Some fans dismissed the idea altogether:
- “Just stop,” one simply tweeted.
- “Not gonna lie, last 5 years has [Barkley] said anything positive about the sport he’s played/watches/comments on?” another added.
Challenges of a December Start
One major obstacle to Barkley’s proposal is the scheduling shift it would entail. A December start would push the playoffs into late July or early August, potentially conflicting with global events like the Summer Olympics every four years. Networks and advertisers might also resist moving the Finals into the summer months when viewership habits tend to dip.
Additionally, owners and players may be reluctant to make such a dramatic change. The NBA’s October-to-June schedule has long been the standard, and early-season games still generate revenue even if ratings lag. Owners might be unwilling to sacrifice those early months of income, while players could balk at the idea of a season that stretches deeper into the summer.
A Long Way Off
Despite Barkley’s compelling points, the NBA is unlikely to adopt such a significant change anytime soon. The league has shown a willingness to experiment, such as introducing the Play-In Tournament and the new In-Season Tournament, but overhauling the season’s start and end dates would be a much larger undertaking.
For now, Barkley’s idea remains a conversation starter, highlighting the challenges the NBA faces in competing for attention during football season. Whether or not the league ever takes his advice, the debate underscores the ongoing evolution of the NBA’s place in the crowded sports calendar.
The Bottom Line
Charles Barkley’s Christmas Day proposal has sparked widespread discussion, with fans and analysts offering mixed reactions. While the idea has its merits, logistical challenges and financial concerns make it a long shot for now.
Still, Barkley’s willingness to push for bold changes continues to make him one of the most thought-provoking voices in basketball.
