Aside from millions of dollars and fame, if Charles Barkley earned something through his career, it was some deep-rooted friendships. While his usual buddies like Shaquille O’Neal and more from Inside the NBA cast are known, there are some from different sports and networks altogether. One such person is NHL broadcaster, Christine Simpson.

It all started in Las Vegas, more than 20 years ago, when the basketball icon crossed paths with the NHL broadcaster. While Simpson was enjoying a trip with hockey legend Wayne Gretzky, fate brought her and the 11x NBA All-Star together.

But it didn’t stop there. Barkley and Simpson, along with Canadian broadcaster Rod Black, built a friendship that has lasted to this day. If you’ve ever caught Chuck talking about Canada on TV, you may have noticed he often gives a playful nod to both Christine and Rod.

The connection they’ve shared over the years proves that sometimes, the most unlikely of encounters can lead to lasting friendships. No wonder that the former Philadelphia 76ers star expressed a great deal of disappointment at the firing of Christine from Sportsnet.

The similar circumstances of two friends despite different networks and different sports

Yes, it’s true, the NHL broadcaster’s run with the network has ended after a long span of over two decades. As a friend and as someone who was nearly in similar circumstances, Barkley can surely understand what Simpson must be going through.

Despite coming from different worlds—Christine Simpson in hockey and Charles Barkley in basketball—their career journeys came down to share some similarities. Although not the ones they would’ve desired. Simpson recently announced her departure from Sportsnet, where she had been a cornerstone of NHL coverage since 1998.

In a heartfelt message on X, she expressed gratitude for her time at the network. “This was so much more than a job to me. So while I’m sad to see my chapter at Sportsnet come to a close, I’m eager to see what my next chapter will bring,” she wrote. Meanwhile, over in the NBA world, Charles Barkley found himself in a somewhat similar, albeit more unpredictable, situation earlier this year.

While Barkley was not in an identical situation with TNT, some could say it was even worse. Not even knowing what the future holds for your job. Amazon along with NBC and maybe Disney have landed the deal with NBA now. But there was a time when everything was not so obvious. In fact, there came an instance where Chuck also considered himself to be someone who got fired from his job. The sentiment surfaced during an interview with 12News.

On a lighter note, he faced the question of what it would take for him to consider joining 12News. The 11x All-Star politely declined the offer, stating he still might come on the channel now and then just for fun. “… I’m definitely gonna enjoy,” he said. It seemed he was going to close the statement with “retirement” but stopped midway.

“You know it’s not even retirement… I didn’t retire. I got fired,” Chuck continued his statement. As someone who spent over two decades with TNT, Barkley surely understands what Simpson must’ve felt after losing her job.

Charles Barkley’s reaction to Christine Simpson losing her job with Sportsnet

When Simpson parted ways with Sportsnet, Barkley didn’t hold back on his disappointment. For someone who’s seen the ups and downs of the sports world, both as a player and a broadcaster, his reaction was heartfelt. He described Christine as not only a tremendous talent but also a “wonderful person and a great friend.”

via Getty

So it’s not hard to see why her departure hit him hard. Think about it—Simpson has been a key figure in NHL coverage for over two decades. To lose someone with that experience, and those connections must’ve left a void for both her audience and colleagues.

Barkley, recognizing her immense value, was quick to emphasize how fortunate any network would be to hire someone like her. After all, how often do you find a broadcaster with such a deep connection to the sport she covers? So why exactly did Sportsnet release such an employee from the network?

Well, some on social media speculate ageism to be a factor, as Simpson is nearing her 60th birthday. However, Barkley refrained from commenting on this. “I don’t talk about sh*t, I don’t know about,” he gave his reason.

At the end of the day, Charles Barkley’s overall reaction is a reminder that, despite their differences in sports and networks, the bond between him and Simpson runs deep.

Stay tuned for more updates. Join us for the exciting second episode of the “Dual Threat Show” as our host, BG12, sits down with Georgia Bulldogs star and Mountain West All-Freshman Team Selection, Asia Avinger.