Charles Barkley Voices Annoyance with Blake Griffin Commercials Ahead of Amazon Gig

The exchange occurred during TNT's broadcast, syndicated on CBS for March Madness. As host Ernie Johnson cued up the ubiquitous AT&T commercial starring Blake Griffin, Charles Barkley couldn't hide his weariness, muttering, "Oh, God. Man, I'm so sick of Blake." Johnson playfully responded, "Be nice to Blake. Take it away, Blake."

The specific commercial, part of AT&T's 'Guarantee Guys' campaign, has received significant airtime during the NCAA tournament. Some viewers find its frequent appearance and style—mimicking a podcast or show intro—somewhat jarring or annoying, a sentiment Barkley tapped into.

This isn't the first time Barkley and Griffin have engaged in banter; Griffin previously did a well-received impression of Barkley during 'The Match' charity golf event. However, the timing adds another layer, as Griffin is transitioning into a media career with Amazon Prime Video, a platform reportedly interested in securing Barkley's services as well. While Barkley has publicly committed to TNT, the dynamics between the two personalities, potentially as colleagues or competitors in the sports media landscape, will be interesting to watch.

The incident serves as a reminder of Barkley's unfiltered commentary style, which has made 'Inside the NBA' a popular show, and the saturation level of certain advertisements during high-profile sports broadcasts.

Why did Charles Barkley say he was 'sick of' Blake Griffin?

Barkley expressed annoyance, seemingly jokingly, due to the high frequency of Blake Griffin's AT&T commercial appearances during the March Madness basketball tournament broadcasts.

Is there genuine conflict between Barkley and Griffin?

It appears to be more playful banter, typical of Barkley's candid style. They have exchanged lighthearted jabs in the past. The comment gains interest due to Griffin's upcoming role as an analyst for Amazon, a potential future destination for Barkley.

What is Blake Griffin's new job?

Blake Griffin is joining Amazon Prime Video as an NBA analyst starting next season.

Do you find certain commercials during big sports events repetitive? What do you think of athletes transitioning into analyst roles? Let us know!

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