Via Awful Announcing:
Charles Barkley's SI interview with Richard Deitsch continues to make headlines. Earlier this week, Deitsch led his media column a note that Barkley was considering leaving TNT before the end of his current contract to move on to a new challenge. In a full interview published Wednesday, the always outspoken Barkley had a very brunt critique of the business and sideline reporting in particular.
Notably, Barkley speaks of discriminataion in sideline reporting and says "If you are an ugly woman, you have no chance of getting a TV job." Here's the full exchange...
SI.com: How do you view sideline reporters on a broadcast?
Barkley: I don't like sideline reporters at halftime because you're asking coaches questions, and they are pissed off most of the time. Anything can happen when you are mad like that, especially if your team is getting its butt kicked. It's always easy to interview the guy who is winning, but if you are getting your butt kicked, it's a very awkward situation. You haven't even had a chance to digest what you've been bad at, and they are asking what you have been bad at!
SI.com: That's why I love interviews with Gregg Popovich. He's great television when he makes reporters uncomfortable.
Barkley: Oh, he's great. But I will tell you one form of discrimination no one ever talks about regarding sideline reporters.
SI.com: What's that?
Barkley: If you are an ugly woman, you have no chance of getting a TV job.
SI.com: But if you dress like Craig Sager, you can still get hired, right?
Barkley: Hey, I think you have to dress like Sager to get a job now. I will say this: They have hot, great-looking women on TV now. But if you are an ugly woman, you ain't got no chance of getting a TV job.
Original Story:
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November 09, 2012
