When you think about Stanley Cup coverage, you usually don’t think about Charles Barkley.
However, the former NBA player-turned-broadcaster made a surprise appearance during coverage of Monday’s Game 2 against the Florida Panthers and Edmonton Oilers.
Barkley appeared alongside P.K. Subban, Steve Levy and Mark Messier during one of ABC’s period breaks to talk about the game and have some fun in the process with the three NHL media personalities.
During Barkley’s appearance, he told a very funny story about how Messier “owes” him $5,000 and trolled his Inside the NBA pal Shaquille O’Neal on how Barkley prefers hanging out with NHL commissioner Gary Bettman.
Mark Messier owes Charles Barkley $5,000 and the story behind it is tremendous 🤣#StanleyCup pic.twitter.com/V8GXIqw0AI
— Hockey Daily 365 l NHL Highlights & News (@HockeyDaily365) June 11, 2024
Give us 15 minutes of just Charles Barkley during the intermission, it's what's needed#StanleyCup pic.twitter.com/NAVb9DXZGQ
— Hockey Daily 365 l NHL Highlights & News (@HockeyDaily365) June 11, 2024
Barkey’s infectious personality was a great fit for the Stanley Cup broadcast, and fans loved seeing him out of his element and still having a blast.
Outstanding. 💪 pic.twitter.com/RDnwGRfFsR
— StaceyDales (@StaceyDales) June 11, 2024
Charles Barkley just effortlessly waltzed onto the ESPN NHL intermission set and instantly gelled with Levy, Messier and Subban.
What a legend.
— Wade Neely (@WadeNeely) June 11, 2024
really fun intermission show. it’s just Levy begging Charles Barkley to join ESPN.
— Liam Blutman (@Blutman27) June 11, 2024
Charles Barkley needs to be on every studio crew. Make it happen.
— Kevin Noon (@Kevin_Noon) June 11, 2024
ESPN has Charles Barkley giving better analysis on hockey during this intermission break than anyone on their halftime show discussing basketball during the NBA Finals.
— Matt Infield (@Matt_Infield) June 11, 2024
Charles Barkley is by far the most entertaining person on TV.
— Rick Monti (@Aldo_Monti) June 11, 2024
— Dave (@madnessmouths) June 11, 2024
Immediately made the NHL Intermission show better 🐐 https://t.co/12Ou7afs30
— Keith (@KeithKavJr) June 11, 2024
Feature image courtesy of ESPN.
