NFL games on Christmas Day are becoming a major fixture in the sports world, a move that is creating friction with the NBA. Traditionally, the NFL dominated Thanksgiving while the NBA held the spotlight on Christmas. This year, the NFL expanded its reach by partnering with Netflix for a daytime double-header and Amazon Prime Video for a primetime night game.
The league's decision to move in on the holiday has drawn sharp criticism from Basketball Hall of Famer Charles Barkley. Speaking on ESPN, Barkley accused NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and league leadership of being "greedy pigs." He argued that the NFL is trying to "hog every day of the week" and insisted that Christmas should remain an "NBA day."
This isn't the first time Barkley has lashed out at the NFL's business tactics. In early 2024, he called the league "low class" for placing a playoff game exclusively on the Peacock streaming service. At the time, he expressed disgust that fans were forced to pay for a subscription just to watch a post-season game.
The NFL’s influence over the American sports landscape shows no signs of slowing down. There have been ongoing discussions about expanding the regular season to 18 games. Such a move could potentially push the Super Bowl back to Presidents Day weekend, further extending the league's calendar.
As the NFL continues to prioritize streaming partnerships and holiday scheduling, the battle for TV ratings between the major sports leagues is reaching a fever pitch. Despite Barkley's protests, the NFL appears committed to maintaining its status as the most dominant force in global sports media.