Charles Barkley Net Worth

If you’re a basketball fan, then you’re already more than familiar with the name Charles Barkley, aka Sir Charles. This incredibly powerful forward played 16 seasons in the NBA and has completed even more as a commentator. He’s also as well known for being loud, aggressive, and controversial as he is for having been a great player.

So, what is Charles Barkley’s net worth?

With big payouts from an NBA player’s contract and his career as a broadcaster, you’d expect him to have a fair bit of money squirreled away. He still pulls in a beefy salary every year as well. So, let’s add it all up and see what Charles Barkley is worth.

More Than You Expected?

It could go either way. Charles Barkley could be incredibly wealthy, or he could have gotten into big trouble with money and been close to broke, right? It turns out that there’s an element of truth to both of these ideas.

At present, the net worth of Charles Barkley is estimated at around $70 million. This, of course, includes money from his basketball playing years. But, even more so, this money comes from his work as a celebrity commentator and also from the various endorsements he has done over the years.

Barkley has had endorsement contracts with some pretty major brands. These include Nike, McDonald’s, Capital One, Coca-Cola, and Right Guard, to name a few. Estimates are that he has earned between five to ten million dollars of his income from these contracts. That’s enough to make anyone happy.

Then again…

As a famed baller and a celebrity, Charles Barkley can command a pretty hefty salary as a commentator. It’s estimated that Charles Barkley’s current earnings are about $10 million per year in salary and endorsements.

This includes any paid appearances outside of his regular job as well. And, when you’re a rich celebrity, it seems like people are always ready to pay you even more just to make an appearance.

Did you expect the Charles Barkley net worth number to be $70 million? I didn’t. But I understand that with years of playing professionally, endorsements, and a cushy job as a commentator, there’s a reason why he’s sitting on a pile of money.

Gambling Addict?

When you have more money than you know what to do with, it’s natural that you might start to spend it recklessly. This is the case for so many celebrities and sports heroes who get into drugs, shopping addictions, and other compulsive behaviors. For Barkley, who’s a sports hero and celebrity, this reckless spending has taken the form of gambling.

Is Charles Barkley a gambling addict?

Addiction is defined differently by so many different professionals that it’s hard to nail down exactly what it is. In very general terms, it’s a behavior that you can’t easily stop that causes problems in your life. Barkley has publicly admitted to being a big gambler multiple times.

The biggest win, he claims, is $700,000 from casino gambling and betting on football in Las Vegas. But that’s got nothing on his biggest loss. He claims to have lost $2.5 million in a single poker-playing spree.

In the past, Barkley was adamant that he didn’t have a problem…

He said that he liked the thrill of gambling and had the money to burn. It didn’t cause him any financial strife, so it didn’t fit the definition of an addiction. But, Charles Barkley’s losses due to gambling total around $10 million. That sounds like a whole heck of a lot from where I’m sitting.

However, in 2008, Barkley was publicly embarrassed by news that was leaked about one of his gambling debts. He had piled up a debt of $400,000 at the Wynn Casino in Las Vegas and hadn’t paid it off in over six months. Once the news broke, he hurried to pay the debt immediately but also made public statements about a desire to quit gambling.

He said that he now saw it as reckless and wasteful, and he wanted to stop this pattern of behavior. If he hadn’t been a gambler, Barkley might be able to claim a net worth of $80 million. Although, I have a hunch that he would have found another way to spend it after all.

Basketball Player Extraordinaire

The thing that Charles Barkley is really famous for is his basketball career. That fame allowed him to become a celebrity later, but he first paid his dues on the court.

High School

Barkley started playing basketball seriously in high school. While he was skilled, he was considered too short to take a place on his high school team. But things changed when he was 16 and grew six inches over a short period. By his senior year, he was 6-foot-4 and was a driving force behind his team.

College

He was recruited out of high school by scouts for the Auburn Tigers, the men’s team at Auburn University in Alabama. Here he played center, even though he was a lot shorter than the average center. He was also significantly overweight, but he was strong and quick. His ability to grab rebounds and dunk on the opposition gained him the nickname “The Round Mound of Rebound” while still at college.

But don’t call him that today…

Barkley played with the Auburn Tigers for three years and did extraordinarily well. He was seen as an extremely versatile player who could grab offensive and defensive rebounds, dunk, and also shoot 3-pointers with ease. Charles averaged over 14 points per game and had a field goal shooting average of 62.6%, which is excellent. He also snatched 9.6 rebounds per game. But he would get even better.

Before becoming a professional, Barkley was invited to try out for the 1984 US men’s Olympic team. However, he was sent home from training camp and told to work on his defensive skills. After that, he left college without graduating after his third year to play professionally.

NBA Career with Philadelphia 76ers

In 1984, Barkley made himself eligible for the NBA draft. He was chosen as the fifth pick in the first round of the draft by the Philadelphia 76ers. The legendary Michael Jordan, who was born just three days before Barkley, was picked third in the draft by the Chicago Bulls. This started a career-long rivalry but also a friendship between these star players.

The 76ers team had won the 1983 championship and had some serious players on their roster, like Dr. J. and Moses Malone. Barkley was taken under their wing to develop his skills. They saw Barkley as a diamond in the rough. Malone also taught him how to lose weight, eat better, and prepare physically and mentally for game day.

This mentoring worked wonders…

Charles Barkley quickly became a force to be reckoned with. Even as a rookie, he averaged 14.9 points per game and upped his rebound average to 11.1.

Barkley was tasked with playing the position of power forward but also moved around the court quickly and easily. He played with strength and aggression, which also sometimes got him into trouble. Barkley was known for starting fights and causing chaos on the court. He played with the 76ers until 1992, racking up over 14,000 points and over 7,000 rebounds during his tenure.

Phoenix Suns

At the end of the 91-92 season, Barkley was traded to the Phoenix Suns. This team lacked leadership and gave him more room to show his talent. In his first season, he averaged 25.6 points and 12.2 rebounds per game.

He also led the Suns to the NBA Finals against Michael Jordan’s Bulls, who ultimately won. Barkley played in Phoenix for five seasons but began to be plagued by injuries. In 1996, he was traded to Houston Rockets.

Houston Rockets

With Houston, Charles Barkley played another four seasons of professional basketball. He was still a formidable player, but by the 1999-2000 season, he was also 37 years old and had suffered several injuries. Charles Barkley officially retired after his last game on April 19, 2000.

Olympic Basketball

In addition to playing in NBA All-Star games, Charles Barkley also joined the 1992 and 1996 US Men’s Olympic basketball teams. These squads were unstoppable and were named “The Dream Team” in the media. He won two gold medals for his involvement and also led the 1996 team in scoring and rebounds.

Sports Commentator

It took Charles Barkley no time at all to move on to his next career. Right after the 1999-2000 season, he was hired on as a commentator with TNT (Turner Network Television). His knowledge of the game of basketball, mixed with his direct and uncompromising personality, made him a perfect commentator for NBA games.

Barkley provides studio and sometimes live commentary for NBA games as well as providing pregame, half-time, and post-game analysis. He worked with TNT for an impressive 16 years and claimed he would retire at age 60.

However, in 2022 he signed on for another 10-year contract to help keep that money rolling in. So, it looks like the Charles Barkley net worth numbers are going to increase.

Personal Life

Charles Barkley was born on the 20th of February, 1963, in Leeds, Alabama. He has one full brother, Darryl Barkley, and one half-brother named John Glenn (no, not the astronaut). He grew up in Leeds, which is near Birmingham, Alabama, and played basketball at Leeds High School.

In 1989, at the height of Charles Barkley’s professional career, he also obtained a personal highlight by marrying Maureen Blumhardt. Also, in 1989, their daughter, Christiana, was born.

Health and Injuries

As a bigger player, Barkley’s weight fluctuated often. Carrying extra weight and playing aggressively in the paint are the two main reasons why his later career was plagued by injuries. That and the fact that he was too good to retire at the NBA’s average retirement age of just 28.

Most of his injuries have been to his legs, which is normal in basketball. One of Charles Barkley’s worst injuries was in the 1993-94 season playing with the Suns. He played through a serious leg injury to finish the season and somehow still made 21.6 points and 11.2 rebounds on average.

However, it was found that his right leg was seriously injured with a tear to his quadriceps tendon. The injury was so bad, and since he was already over 30, he considered retiring.

Instead, he continued to play…

Unsurprisingly, he often had injuries resulting from him playing so hard. He hurt his legs and his pelvis, sprained and tore ligaments, and yet carried on. Then, in the 1999-2000 season, he tore his left quadriceps tendon and was carried away on a stretcher. This looked like the last we’d see of Barkley on the court, but he wanted to end on a high note.

So, he did his rehab and came back to play one final game on the 19th of April, 2000. He played well, but just for a short time, and when he left his final appearance on the basketball court, it was not on a stretcher but to a standing ovation from his fans.

Controversies

Barkley wasn’t always so well-liked, though. He was known for being aggressive and mouthy on the court. Often sparking shoving matches and all-out fights. He was ejected from games and fined multiple times. The last time was in a confrontation with the towering Shaquille O’Neal.

His most famous incident, however, was the so-called “Spitting Incident” in 1991. Barkley claims he was being heckled and abused by a fan using racial slurs. So, he hauled off and spat at the fan, but instead hit a young girl nearby. He was suspended and fined $10,000, but it taught him to cool down and learn to control his temper. He also apologized to the girl’s family and actually became friends with them.

Off the court, Barkley was also controversial. He especially made waves when he pushed his message “I am not a role model” in a Nike ad campaign. Although he meant it to encourage parents to be role models for their kids rather than sports players, this message was widely condemned.

Interested In The Net Worth Of Other Celebrities?

Well, then check out our breakdowns on Mark Hamill Net Worth, Steve Harvey Net Worth, Rob Dyrdek Net Worth, Jackass Superstar Johnny Knoxville Net Worth, Ariana Grande Net Worth, and Kaley Cuoco Net Worth for more information on celebrity net worth numbers.

Also, you might like to know where the rich and famous reside. So, have a look at our guides on the Biggest Celebrities Who Live in Miami, the Celebrities who live in Beverly Hills, the 15 Biggest Celebrities who live in NYC, the Celebrities that live in Nashville, and the Celebrities that live in The Hamptons in 2023.

Charles Barkley Net Worth Revealed

Charles Barkley began his career as a formidable basketball player and has ended up a famous celebrity commentator. In his career, he was a season MVP, an All-Star player, and a member of the US Olympic team. As a commentator, he makes an income of $10 million per year, leading him to a net worth of $70 million.

Despite gambling at least $10 million away, Barkley is still very wealthy. He has homes in Pennsylvania, Arizona, and Alabama and drives luxury cars like his Bentley and Lincoln. He also has enough to donate millions to colleges in Alabama and Georgia. This extraordinary and controversial figure has become a staple of NBA broadcasts and won’t be going anywhere soon.

Until next time, may you find your success.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is Charles Barkley’s career highlight?

Barkley’s greatest career achievement was winning the NBA Most Valuable Player award in 1993. He led the Phoenix Suns to the NBA Finals that season but lost to Michael Jordan’s Chicago Bulls.

2. How much did Charles Barkley earn from his Nike endorsement deal?

Barkley’s endorsement deal with Nike was worth $1 million per year when he signed in 1994. The deal lasted for 4 years and earned Barkley $4 million.

3. Who did Charles Barkley famously feud with during his career?

Barkley has had public feuds with several athletes and political figures. His most famous feud was with retired NBA player, Shaquille O’Neal. The two have traded verbal jabs for years and have even fought on the court.

4. Is Charles Barkley still working for NBA on TNT?

Yes, Barkley is still a regular contributor to the NBA on TNT. He is one of the most popular and entertaining commentators on the show.

5. How much does Charles Barkley donate to charity?

Barkley has donated millions of dollars to various charities over the years. His foundation, The Charles Barkley Foundation, has raised over $14 million to support education and health initiatives.

6. How did Charles Barkley use his platform to raise social awareness?

Barkley has been an advocate for education and other social issues. He has spoken out about issues such as police brutality, race relations, and poverty. Barkley has also been critical of political leaders when he believes they are not serving the best interests of society.

7. How did Charles Barkley get the nickname, “The Round Mound of Rebound”?

Barkley’s nickname was given to him during his college days at Auburn. His unusually short stature for a power forward (6’6″) and his prodigious rebounding ability led to the nickname.

8. What is Charles Barkley’s net worth compared to other NBA players?

Barkley’s net worth is lower than some of the most financially successful NBA players, such as Michael Jordan, LeBron James, and Kobe Bryant. However, Barkley is wealthier than many former NBA stars, and his net worth continues to grow through his work as a commentator and various investments.

9. How did Charles Barkley become a sports commentator?

After Barkley retired from the NBA, he started doing commentary work for various networks. In 2000, he started working with NBA on TNT, where he has become a regular contributor. Barkley’s unique blend of humor, insight, and honesty has made him a popular and successful commentator.

10. Did Charles Barkley ever win a championship?

No, Barkley never won an NBA championship despite playing in the NBA Finals once. Many people consider this to be the biggest disappointment of his career.

11. What is Charles Barkley doing now?

Barkley is still working as a commentator for NBA on TNT. He also hosts a podcast called “The Steam Room” with his co-host Ernie Johnson. Barkley is an active voice on social media, where he shares his thoughts on sports, politics, and life in general.

12. How old is Charles Barkley?

Charles Barkley was born on February 20, 1963, making him 58 years old as of 2021.

13. What is Charles Barkley’s most famous quote?

Barkley has said many memorable things over the years, but his most famous quote is probably, “I’m not a role model. Just because I dunk a basketball doesn’t mean I should raise your kids.” This quote reflects Barkley’s belief that athletes should not be held up as moral examples for young people.

14. What is Charles Barkley’s favorite food?

Barkley has said that his favorite food is fried chicken. He has even been known to travel with his own portable deep fryer to cook chicken when he is on the road.

15. Who is Charles Barkley married to?

Barkley has been married to Maureen Blumhardt since 1989. Blumhardt is a former model and has been involved in various charitable initiatives with Barkley over the years.