Charles Barkley jokingly warns 'Inside the NBA' crew about Shaquille O'Neal's FBI connection

Barkley suggested that O’Neal knows FBI Director Kash Patel, delivering the comment so casually that the entire "Inside the NBA" crew broke into laughter.This page may contain affiliate links to legal sports betting partners.If you sign up or place a wager, FOX News may be compensated.

This content was created by a team that works independently from the FOX newsroom."Hey, Kenny.Should we be standing this close to Shaq?" Barkley asked.Former Phoenix Suns player Charles Barkley sits courtside during an NBA Cup game against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix, Ariz., on Nov.

21, 2025.(Mark J.

Rebilas/Imagn Images)CHARLES BARKLEY WEIGHS IN ON THE FRICTION IN THE 'MONDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL' BROADCAST BOOTHFellow NBA analyst Kenny Smith responded: "Why is that?""He’s been hanging out with Kash Patel," Barkley explained."That’s dangerous.""Oh!! Oh! Oh, I didn’t know you were gonna be going there," Johnson said.

"But I should have known you would."Shaquille O'Neal and Charles Barkley attend the Warner Bros.Discovery Upfront 2024 on May 15, 2024, in New York City.

(Getty Images for Warner Bros.Discovery)"Alright, Chuck," O’Neal replied as he continued to laugh.

"Alright, Chuck."For more than three decades, Ernie Johnson has hosted "Inside the NBA," which originates from a television studio in Atlanta.Two-time NBA champion Kenny Smith joined the show in 1998, Barkley came aboard in 2000 and O’Neal became a permanent fixture in 2011.CLICK HERE FOR MORE OUTKICK SPORTS COVERAGE"I got your back, big fella," Barkley said.

"We can hang out with who the hell we want to."Barkley was hinting to Patel’s decision in September to name O’Neal an honorary FBI special agent.FBI director Kash Patel speaks at a press conference announcing the arrests of Portland Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups and Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier in connection with a federal investigation into sports betting and illegal gambling, Thursday, Oct.23, 2025, ...