For decades, Christmas Day in the sporting world was synonymous with the NBA, a cherished tradition where basketball stood alone as the premier athletic entertainment. However, that long-standing monopoly has been aggressively challenged in recent years by the National Football League, sparking a fierce rivalry and accusations of greed from basketball purists.
Barkley's Blistering Attack on NFL 'Pigs'
The simmering tension boiled over on Christmas Day itself, when Charles Barkley, the outspoken 'Inside the NBA' analyst and Basketball Hall of Famer, launched a scathing verbal assault. During ESPN's 'NBA Tipoff', the former MVP did not mince words, directing his fury squarely at NFL commissioner Roger Goodell.
'The NFL got greedy and started adding Christmas games,' Barkley declared. 'We used to have this day to ourself, but Roger Goodell and them pigs at the NFL always want to hog every day of the week now. Christmas is an NBA day.'
The NFL's Strategic Holiday Incursion
Historically, the NFL largely avoided scheduling games on 25 December, typically only proceeding when the holiday coincided with its regular Sunday slot. Yet, a significant shift in policy began in 2020, since when the league has scheduled at least one game every Christmas.
This strategic move has been commercially lucrative. Last year, despite Christmas falling on a Wednesday, the NFL staged a doubleheader broadcast by Netflix, which is paying the league a staggering $150 million per year for the rights to two Christmas games.
This year's holiday, falling on a Thursday, saw an expanded three-game slate. Netflix showcased the Dallas Cowboys at Washington Commanders and the Detroit Lions at Minnesota Vikings. A third fixture, Denver Broncos at Kansas City Chiefs, aired on Amazon Prime as part of its 'Thursday Night Football' package.
Subpar NFL Showings Contrast With NBA Thrillers
The NFL's Christmas offerings were notably hampered by a quarterback crisis, with three of the six teams forced to start backups. The Commanders, missing Jayden Daniels, lost with journeyman Josh Johnson. The Vikings' third-stringer Max Brosmer engineered an upset over the Lions, eliminating Detroit from playoff contention. The Chiefs, without the injured Patrick Mahomes, lost their fifth straight with Chris Oladokun under centre.
In stark contrast, the NBA, celebrating its 78th year of Christmas games, delivered a slate of compelling matchups. The day featured a major comeback by the New York Knicks over Cleveland, a dominant San Antonio Spurs victory against the league-leading Oklahoma City Thunder, a Houston Rockets throttling of the Los Angeles Lakers, and a tense overtime battle where the Denver Nuggets held back the Minnesota Timberwolves.
The clash highlights a broader battle for sporting and broadcasting supremacy on one of the calendar's most-watched days. While the NFL leverages its immense popularity and lucrative streaming deals, NBA traditionalists like Barkley see it as an unforgivable encroachment on their sport's heritage, setting the stage for continued festive friction.
