NBA legend Charles Barkley has shut down the ‘stupid’ debate over transgender athletes’ eligibility, stating he does not believe men should be able to play women’s sports.
The argument over whether transgender athletes should be able to compete in women’s sports has taken on new life since the election of Donald Trump back to the White House.
Now Barkley has shared his thoughts on the situation as a guest on Dan Dakich’s show on Outkick, a few weeks after it was reported that Nike funded a study on transgender athletes in youth sports.
‘I’m gonna make this very simple for you, Dan. Men should not play sports against women,’ Barkley said. ‘I’m not gonna get into all the bull***t that’s going on out here in the world today.’
Barkley also clarified his stance and said he is also against discriminatory behavior towards transgender and gay people.
‘Men should not play sports against women. If anybody thinks that, I think they’re stupid,’ Barkley added. ‘I support the gay community 100%. I support the transgender community 100%.’
Charles Barkley has shut down the ‘stupid’ debate over transgender athletes’ eligibility
Swimmer Lia Thomas (pictured) is a central figure in the transgender athletes in sports debate
‘But I do not, under any circumstances… think that men should play sports against women. And if anybody has a problem with that, they’re gonna have to get over it because I’m not gonna change my [mind]. I just think it’s wrong, period.’
‘I don’t even think that’s controversial… I don’t wanna hear you try to explain it to me. No, no, no, I don’t wanna hear it. I’m not gonna argue with you. Men shouldn’t play sports against woman. I’m done.’
The debate over transgender athletes competing in women’s sports has been a hot topic since Lia Thomas’ NCAA championship win in 2022, before she was banned from competing in women’s events by World Aquatics.
Thomas has challenged the ruling and was denied re-entry into swimming competition last year.
It was Thomas’ involvement in sports that led the Trump administration to suspend $175million in funding from the University of Pennsylvania, as she competed for the Quakers when winning the NCAA championship.
Barkley has been outspoken on other topics recently as well. He opined about friend Bill Belichick’s disastrous CBS interview, hoping for an intervention with the influence of his 49-years-younger partner Jordon Hudson.
