Charles Barkley has never been one to be careful with what he says or to “toe the line.” You can always count on Barkley to speak the truth, and while it may be a sad, unfortunate truth, it is accurate nonetheless.
When Barkley was asked about the sideline interview antics of San Antonio Spurs coach Gregg Popovich, he took the opportunity to speak out on the discrimination of women in the TV industry.
“Oh, he’s great. But I will tell you one form of discrimination no one ever talks about regarding sideline reporters,” Barkley said. “If you are an ugly woman, you have no chance of getting a TV job.”
He then decided to give his two cents on Craig Sager.
“Hey, I think you have to dress like Sager to get a job now,” Barkley continued. “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.”
Love him or hate him, he’s right. It’s the reason that women like Erin Andrews and Samantha Steele are on television all the time. They don’t possess a wealth of college sports knowledge that other women don’t have; they have other qualities that others seemingly missed out on. This is the world we live in. Attractive women drive up TV ratings, because even if you’re just a casual fan, men are more likely to watch if there is an attractive women on the broadcast.
H/T: Larry Brown Sports