Barkley and Jordan Reignite Friendship Over Golf After Years of Tension
NBA Hall of Famers Charles Barkley and Michael Jordan are reportedly working towards repairing their long-strained friendship, starting with plans to play golf together during the offseason. In a recent appearance on Sirius XM's "Mad Dog Unleashed," Barkley remarked, "We're not like Prince William and Prince Harry. We always have a lot of love for each other." This statement follows their recent conversation in which they decided to reconnect after years of silence. The two legends, who were once close friends and teammates during their time on the Dream Team, experienced a rift in 2012 due to Barkley’s comments regarding Jordan's management of the Charlotte Bobcats. Barkley stated in a 2023 interview with "60 Minutes," "I think that he don't have enough people around him that are gonna tell him, 'No.'" His remarks reportedly angered Jordan, leading to a prolonged period without communication. Barkley shared, "He got my number," indicating that the ball is now in Jordan's court for reconciliation. He later recalled that Jordan "went ballistic" after Barkley's comments gained national attention, emphasizing the importance of honesty in their friendship: "How can I criticize other people and give you a pass?" During Jordan's ownership of the Bobcats, which began in February 2010, the franchise struggled significantly in the Eastern Conference before rebranding to the Hornets in 2014. The team made the playoffs three times before Jordan sold his stake in 2023. Currently, Jordan is co-owner of 23XI Racing, a NASCAR team he founded with Denny Hamlin in 2020.
Source: CBS Sports - 2026-04-19