A long-running rift between NBA legends Charles Barkley and Michael Jordan may finally be nearing its conclusion.
Barkley said recently that the two have reconnected after years of silence. The former MVP shared that they spoke within the last few days.
“We had a conversation,” Barkley said. “We’re going to get together and play golf as soon as basketball is over.”
The remarks signal a major shift in a relationship that had been strained for more than a decade.
A Friendship Broken by Criticism
Barkley and Jordan were once close friends. Their bond dated back to their playing careers and the 1992 Olympic “Dream Team.”
The relationship fractured in 2012. That year, Barkley publicly criticized Jordan’s leadership as owner of the Charlotte Hornets.
“I love Michael, but he just has not done a good job,” Barkley said at the time.
Jordan reportedly took the comments personally. The fallout led to a complete breakdown in communication between the two.
Barkley later described a heated phone call that followed his remarks. He maintained he was simply doing his job as an analyst.
Over time, the silence stretched into years. Despite that, Barkley often expressed respect for Jordan’s legacy and impact on the game.
Signs of Reconciliation
Now, the tone appears to be changing. Barkley said the two recently spoke and acknowledged their shared history.
“We’ve always had a lot of love for each other,” he said.
He also downplayed the severity of the feud. “We’re not like Prince William and Prince Harry,” Barkley joked.
The planned golf outing could mark their first in-person meeting in years. It also represents a step toward rebuilding a once-close friendship.
Both men are now in their early 60s. Their careers have long since shifted from the court to business and media roles.
Jordan has not publicly commented on the recent developments.