### Charles Barkley Critiques NFL's Christmas Day Games: A Clash of Sports Traditions The ongoing rivalry between the NFL and NBA has intensified, particularly around Christmas Day, a date traditionally reserved for NBA games. This year marks the fifth consecutive season that the NFL has scheduled multiple games on December 25, a move that has drawn sharp criticism from NBA analyst Charles Barkley. Barkley has publicly condemned NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and the league, labeling them as "greedy" and referring to them as "pigs" for encroaching on the NBA's long-standing holiday tradition [https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/charles-barkley-slams-greedy-roger-094431953.html][https://www.breitbart.com/sports/2025/12/26/infuriated-charles-barkley-blasts-nfl-for-competing-with-nba-on-christmas-pigs]. ### Breakdown of the Situation: Key Points of Contention 1. **Historical Context**: The NBA has been the primary sports league showcasing games on Christmas Day for 78 years, making it a significant part of its tradition [https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/nba-legend-charles-barkley-slams-211922431.html]. 2. **NFL's Recent Strategy**: The NFL has increasingly scheduled games on Christmas, with a tripleheader planned for this year, which includes high-profile matchups streamed on platforms like Netflix and Prime Video [https://www.the-express.com/sport/american-football/194375/charles-barkley-nfl-nba-netflix]. 3. **Barkley's Reaction**: Barkley expressed his frustration during ESPN's NBA Tipoff, criticizing the NFL's decision as a blatant attempt to overshadow the NBA's Christmas games [https://www.themirror.com/sport/basketball/charles-barkley-nfl-netflix-nba-1582291]. 4. **Support from Other Analysts**: NBA analysts Richard Jefferson and Kendrick Perkins echoed Barkley's sentiments, arguing that the NFL's scheduling is an unnecessary power play and that basketball should retain its Christmas Day dominance [https://www.yardbarker.com/nba/articles/nba_analysts_richard_jefferson_kendrick_perkins_blast_nfl_for_taking_over_christmas_day_schedule_yall_can_have_thanksgiving/s1_13132_43249041]. ### Supporting Evidence: The Impact of NFL's Scheduling - **NFL's Christmas Games**: The NFL has aired multiple games on Christmas Day for the last five years, with this season featuring a tripleheader that includes: - Dallas Cowboys vs. Washington Commanders - Detroit Lions vs. Minnesota Vikings - Denver Broncos vs. Kansas City Chiefs [https://frontofficesports.com/charles-barkley-calls-greedy-nfl-pigs-for-christmas-day-games]. - **Barkley's Critique**: Barkley’s comments highlight a growing concern among NBA fans and analysts about the NFL's aggressive expansion into territories traditionally held by basketball [https://clutchpoints.com/nba/nba-stories/nba-news-charles-barkley-calls-out-roger-goodell-nfl-pigs-playing-christmas-day]. ### Conclusion: The Future of Christmas Day Sports In summary, **the clash between the NFL and NBA over Christmas Day games underscores a significant cultural and competitive shift in American sports**. 1. **Historical Significance**: The NBA has long claimed Christmas as its own, and the NFL's recent scheduling decisions challenge this tradition. 2. **Public Backlash**: Figures like Charles Barkley and other NBA analysts have voiced strong opposition, framing the NFL's actions as greedy and disrespectful to basketball's heritage. 3. **Ongoing Rivalry**: As both leagues continue to vie for viewership and cultural relevance, the future of Christmas Day sports programming remains uncertain, with potential implications for both fan engagement and league revenues. The ongoing debate reflects broader themes of competition and tradition in American sports, raising questions about the future landscape of holiday sports programming [https://si.com/nba/charles-barkley-rips-roger-goodell-nfl-pigs-over-christmas-day-games].