Story by
Charles Barkley said NBA money destroyed his personal relationships
- Story by
- Charles Barkley said NBA money destroyed his personal relationships
Being in the NBA, no doubt, is a dream come true for the 450 or so players in the league today.
Not only is it a reflection and a testament of the talent that they have and the hard work that they've put in over the years, but being able to sign a multi-million dollar contract is definitely a way out.
Advertisement
It's a way out of poverty, a way out of the daily struggle and a way out of the reality that many of these players in the league experienced growing up.
It's no secret that a lot of the league's biggest stars grew up in impoverished and even broken households, and it's these conditions that ultimately became the fuel and the motivation for these stars to work on their craft, excel, and successfully make it into the league.
And when they do, these players are indeed able to provide their families with a better life and lift their families out of hardship .
Advertisement
But at the same time, the fame and fortune that come with being an NBA star also have their drawbacks. Just ask Hall of Famer Charles Barkley .
Fortune comes with expectations
A former MVP, 11-time All-Star, and 11-time All-NBA, Barkley no doubt made it big in the Association, and he was also one of those players who grew up poor.
And, coming from a poor community, Barkley felt compelled to serve as a financial lifeline for his family and his circle back in his hometown of Leeds, Alabama. As the years went on, however, it seemed he was expected to provide for everyone who asked for help, which became stressful. And contraproductive.
Advertisement
"Money ruins all your relationships," Barkley said candidly. "No matter what you do for your family, it's never enough. All your friends think because you're rich, you should bail them out of every situation."
It came to a point where in-home life became too chaotic for the man known as "The Round Mound of Rebound".
"The only time I had any peace and quiet was on the basketball court," he added.
Throughout his 16-year NBA career, Barkley played for the Philadelphia 76ers , Phoenix Suns , and Houston Rockets . During that span, he earned approximately $40,608,000.
Advertisement
Barkley gets real about his upbringing
Apart from poverty, Barkley believed that a lot of African-American youths also had to deal with other less-than-ideal factors, including racism and broken homes.
"One of the biggest problems in the African-American community is none of us have fathers, so we don't have that strong male figure to guide us. When I was growing up, I thought it was normal not to have a mom and dad around. Nobody I knew had both parents," Barkley stated. "And everybody I knew was poor."
Advertisement
Given the challenges that African-American youths commonly had to go through growing up, Barkley added that it was a surprise to see any of them do well in life.
"I thought it was normal for every black girl to be pregnant in high school, because in my small hometown of [Leeds], Alabama, that's how it was. It wasn't until I got to the NBA that I realized, 'Wait, that's really f---ed up.' It's a miracle any African-American player turns out OK based on where we come from," the Hall of Famer added.
While Barkley's experience comes from an entirely different generation and things may have changed for the better, there are still those who share the NBA legend's experiences, even up to this day.
Advertisement
For sure, there are still players today who go through the stress of having to deal with people in their circle or community who expect a handout.
Related: WNBA star Cameron Brink says she would consider posing for Playboy with one condition
This story was originally published by Basketball Network on Feb 5, 2026, where it first appeared in the Off The Court section. Add Basketball Network as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
