When public figures mock people’s bodies, the ripple effects go far beyond the stage or screen. That’s why the Obesity Action Coalition (OAC) is speaking out after Charles Barkley once again used his national platform—this time during the NCAA Men’s Final Four at JamFest in San Antonio—to make demeaning, weight-stigmatizing comments. His latest remark:
“Y’all got some big b*tches here.”
For more than a decade, Barkley has targeted the women of San Antonio with offensive comments about their size. This isn’t comedy. It’s part of a larger, harmful pattern of weight bias—and it’s exactly why the OAC launched the Stop Weight Bias Campaign.
Barkley’s comments may seem like a passing joke to some, but weight bias has very real consequences. It reinforces harmful stereotypes, affects both mental and physical health, and contributes to a culture of exclusion for people living with obesity. When these messages come from someone with a massive platform, the damage is tenfold.
We’re urging the NCAA, TNT and Barkley’s team to take immediate action. The NCAA, in particular, must uphold its own Principle of Nondiscrimination (#6), which promises respect and dignity for every person. Silence in the face of this kind of rhetoric is not neutrality—it’s complicity.
“Barkley’s comments are more than just inappropriate. They contribute to a culture of weight bias and stigma,” said Joe Nadglowski, OAC President and CEO. “OAC’s Stop Weight Bias Campaign exists to challenge this kind of rhetoric, hold public figures accountable and educate society about the impacts of weight bias.”
We believe accountability matters. That’s why OAC is calling for:
- A public apology from Charles Barkley
- Clear, proactive steps from the NCAA and TNT to address this issue
- Greater education around weight bias for all public-facing organizations
Click here to take a stand with us and be part of the solution.
