Charles Barkley slams NCAA, FBI and politics at Final Four conference

KENS-5 CBS Local ^ | March 31, 2018 | by Scott Gleeson

[Oldeconomybuyer]

Charles Barkley blasted the FBI’s ongoing investigation into college basketball’s illegal recruiting world Friday at the Final Four, saying the nation’s federal law enforcement agency should be focusing on more important matters in the country.

The FBI went public with an investigation in the fall, indicting several universities’ basketball programs and leading to the dismissal of former Louisville coach Rick Pitino.

“I’m still trying to figure out why the FBI is involved,” Barkley said. “Listen, I went to college in 1981. We cheated back then. We’re cheating now. They’re always cheating. The toothpaste is out of the tube. They said they gave that kid at Arizona (Ayton) $100,000. He was underpaid. There must’ve been closed bidding because I would’ve gave his (expletive) more.

“I didn't realize the FBI needed to be paying attention to college basketball. Maybe if they were paying more attention (to other matters) they wouldn't have screwed up our (presidential election).”

Barkley has previously expressed disdain for the 2016 presidential election and President Donald Trump. On Friday, he said politicians have their priorities seriously mixed up.

“These (political) parties suck. Plain and simple,” Barkley said. “The Democrats have been taking my votes and black people’s votes for granted for 100 years. Republicans do what they do — they’re gonna take care of rich people. We as democrats have to start calling our party out more.

“If you look at neighborhoods, if you look at our schools, they suck. We’re getting left behind. The gap between the rich and the poor is getting wider. We have to start holding our politicians (more) accountable. …These (politicians) are sitting here worrying about Russia and Stormy Daniels. Nobody cares about that.”

[Calvin Locke]

Don’t you mean “up” to an approval of “0”?

[ridesthemiles]

Someone needs to 51-50 Barkley.

[zeugma]

The reason the FBI is involved is because money is involved. There is big money in college BBall, just like there is big money in college football. Personally, I don't understand it, but apparently a lot of people are willing to invest a great deal of their own personal self esteem in children's games.

I'm sure the FBI will be able to adjust the outcome of the investigation based upon who benefits more.

[SunkenCiv]

Note: this topic is from 4/01/2018. Thanks Oldeconomybuyer.

Charles Barkley blasted the FBI's ongoing investigation into college basketball's illegal recruiting... "Listen, I went to college in 1981. We cheated back then. We're cheating now... I didn't realize the FBI needed to be paying attention to college basketball. Maybe if they were paying more attention (to other matters) they wouldn't have screwed up our (presidential election)... These (political) parties suck. Plain and simple... The Democrats have been taking my votes and black people's votes for granted for 100 years... If you look at neighborhoods, if you look at our schools, they suck. We're getting left behind. The gap between the rich and the poor is getting wider. We have to start holding our politicians (more) accountable. ...These (politicians) are sitting here worrying about Russia and Stormy Daniels. Nobody cares about that."

As usual, Barkley is barely coherent, manages to cover both sides of the freakin' road. Speaking of the NCAA...

In 2005 the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) distributed a "self evaluation" to its member institutions for teams to examine the use of potentially offensive imagery with their mascot choice. This examination was done in accordance with NCAA policy that requires each member institution to maintain an "atmosphere of respect for and sensitivity to the dignity of every person." Fourteen schools either removed all references to Native American culture or were deemed not to have references to Native American culture as part of their athletics programs. Subsequently, 19 teams were cited as having potentially "hostile or abusive" names, mascots, or images, that would be banned from displaying them during post-season play, and prohibited from hosting tournaments. -- NCAA Native American mascot decision

The NCAA hq is located in Indianapolis, Indiana.