Charles Barkley dismisses 'blood money,' 'sportswashing' critiques against LIV Golf

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Charles Barkley pushed back over criticism against golfers who chose to jump to the Saudi-backed LIV Golf, and he's reportedly in talks about joining the series as a broadcaster.

LIV Golf participants have been scrutinized over joining the league for ridiculous sums of money. Critics have pointed to Saudi Arabia’s alleged human rights violations and accusations against the kingdom about its involvement in the 9/11 terror attacks.

Barkley told the New York Post Wednesday he spoke to LIV Golf Commissioner Greg Norman about the critics of the league.

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A close-up shot of TNT NBA analyst Charles Barkley talking on set before a New York Knicks game against the Cleveland Cavaliers Oct. 25, 2016, at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland.  (David Dow/NBAE via Getty Images)

"I told [Norman], listen, they are making up words like ‘blood money’ and ‘sportswashing.’ I said, ‘We have all taken ‘blood money,’ and we all have ‘sportswashed’ something, so I don’t like those words, to be honest with you,'" Barkley said.

"If you are in pro sports, you are taking some type of money from not a great cause."

Asked whether the NBA’s relationship with China was one example, Barkley replied, "Yeah, I don’t want to practice selective outrage."

Barkley was asked whether it was different given that LIV Golf is directly backed by the Public Investment Fund, the financial arm of the Saudi government, which he would be receiving a paycheck from.

Basketball analyst and former NBA player Charles Barkley reacts to fans after putting on the 14th green during the final round of the American Century Championship at Edgewood Tahoe Golf Course July 10, 2022, in Stateline,