Why Charles Barkley hopes ESPN fires him for Game 3 Cardi B comments

ESPN analyst Charles Barkley made headlines for his Cardi B comments made following her halftime show during Game 3 of the NBA Finals at Madison Square Garden. Barkley referenced Cardi B’s bra size by wordplay on the ‘B’ in the rapper’s stage name during the broadcast.

After Barkley’s comments went viral, he joked about ESPN firing him, per Fox Sports 1’s Dan Patrick Show.

“Dan, you know I’m hoping they fire me. I got 6 or 7 years left on my contract that they know I’ve got no chance of doing. I would love for them to fire me and have to pay me for the next 6 or 7 years.”

"Dan, you know I'm hoping they fire me. I got 6 or 7 years left on my contract that they know I've got no chance of doing. I would love for them to fire me and have to pay me for the next 6 or 7 years."

– Charles Barkley on his "Cardi D's" comment pic.twitter.com/0tc5GYv3s8

— Dan Patrick Show (@dpshow) June 10, 2026

From one New York-native rap act in Game 3 to another in Wu-Tang performing at halftime for Game 4, fans are wondering how Barkley will respond after his NSFW take on Cardi B.

Charles Barkley’s NSFW comments about Cardi B during NBA Finals

ESPN’s Charles Barkley commented on rapper Cardi B during a halftime segment in Game 3. As the Knicks hosted the first NBA Finals matchup in 27 years, the Spurs grabbed their first win of the best-of-7 series. However, the Spurs’ 115-111 victory wasn’t the only thing fans were discussing on social media.

Barkley, alongside the Inside The NBA crew, discussed Cardi B during halftime before a commercial break.

“We lost,” Barkley said. “I don’t know if those B’s. They might be Cardi D’s,” which came with a round of laughter from the hosts.

Charles Barkley watching Cardi B perform:

“I’m sure those aren’t Cardi B’s. Maybe Cardi D’s. She should change her name.”pic.twitter.com/RYlV9b3MdW

— Ahmed/The Ears/IG: BigBizTheGod (@big_business_) June 9, 2026

The Knicks will host the Spurs in Game 4 of the NBA Finals at Madison Square Garden on Wednesday.

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