Charles Barkley’s long fight against social media is over.
Barkley announced on Thursday night that he has finally joined Instagram, with the news coming during TNT’s doubleheader of Knicks-Warriors and Heat-Nuggets.
The popular NBA on TNT analyst has been an outspoken advocate against using platforms such as Instagram in the past, so the crew that included Kenny Smith and Shaquille O’Neal didn’t waste the opportunity to give the big man a hard time with the news.
Chuck finds out what “sliding in the DMs” means 😂 pic.twitter.com/UyNKEbxeAj
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) March 1, 2024
“I’m trying out social media,” Barkley admitted on Thursday. “It’s for business purposes.”
MORE: Barkley no match for DJ Khaled on golf course
After poking fun at Barkley about previously calling out those who used those sorts of apps, the desk began to razz the Hall of Famer about “sliding in the DMs,” something that Barkley did not understand. After Barkley said that he was willing to learn, his colleagues quickly pivoted, telling him to stay out of the messages.
While he may not have been 100 percent certain, his first guess at the meaning was close to being spot on. He went with, “when you try to get somebody a message.” Smith gave him further details about how someone typically has a romantic interest in mind when it comes to “sliding in the DMs.”
There is a caveat with the announcement — Barkley isn’t running it himself. He said that he “wasn’t using it” and that he has somebody else operating behind the scenes of his profile.
As long as his Instagram account brings fans more footage of Barkley and his hijinks, it’s going to be a hit.
MORE: Kevin Durant-Charles Barkley beef history
Why did Charles Barkley join Instagram?
Barkley wanted to clarify that joining Instagram was not for his own personal enjoyment. The NBA legend said that he was using the social media platforms for “business.”
A majority of his first posts appear to be in partnership with either Redmont Vodka, his own alcohol brand, or Dana White’s Power Slap.
Barkley has dissed social media users a number of times over the years. In 2017, the former center said social media “is for losers”. Two years later, he told social media trolls to “shut the hell up” from their mom’s basement. Even a month ago, he said in an interview with CNN that he doesn’t have it because he doesn’t want to “bring fools into [his] life.”
He was speaking a different tune by the last day of February, making a 180-degree pivot on the idea.
“I’m learning. I’m trying it out,” Barkley said.
MORE: Barkley roasts Shaq in leaked video
Charles Barkley Instagram handle
Barkley can be found on Instagram @charleswbarkley on Instagram.
The account appears to have been active for two weeks now; however, it has seen a spike in followers ever since it was announced on Inside the NBA on Thursday night. It’s up to 30,000 followers after having just 9,000 at the start of the day.
