Michael Jordan's NASCAR Triumphs Earn Praise from Former Best Friend Charles Barkley

The basketball legends have not spoken in over a decade, but Barkley is proud of Jordan's success in his new racing venture.

Mar. 30, 2026 at 5:19am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Former NBA stars Michael Jordan and Charles Barkley were once inseparable best friends, but have not spoken in over a decade. However, Barkley recently praised Jordan's triumphs in the NASCAR racing world, saying he is 'happy' and 'proud' of his former rival's competitive success outside of basketball. Jordan revealed that his intense competitive drive, which he calls a 'curse', has led him to get involved in NASCAR as a team owner, and even sue the sport's governing body over revenue sharing practices that he felt were unfair.

Why it matters

The relationship between Jordan and Barkley, two of the NBA's all-time greats, has long been a source of fascination for fans. Their falling out and subsequent reconciliation, or lack thereof, provides insight into the challenges faced by elite athletes transitioning to life after their playing careers end. Jordan's move into NASCAR ownership also highlights the challenges and opportunities for former stars to find new competitive outlets.

The details

Jordan and Barkley were once inseparable friends and rivals in the NBA, with Barkley even acknowledging that Jordan was the best player in the world after facing him in the 1993 NBA Finals. However, the two have not spoken in over a decade, with the reasons for their falling out remaining unclear. Despite this, Barkley recently praised Jordan's success in NASCAR, where he owns the 23XI Racing team. Jordan revealed that his intense competitive drive, which he calls a 'curse', has led him to get involved in NASCAR and even sue the sport's governing body over revenue sharing practices that he felt were unfair to team owners.

  • In the 1993 NBA Finals, Barkley confirmed that Jordan was the best player in the world.
  • Jordan and Barkley have not spoken to each other in more than a decade.
  • Barkley praised Jordan's NASCAR triumphs on TNT Sports' March Madness pregame program in March 2026.
  • Jordan revealed his 'competitive curse' in a recent interview with CBS's Gayle King.

The players

Michael Jordan

A former NBA superstar and six-time champion, who is now the owner of the 23XI Racing NASCAR team.

Charles Barkley

A former NBA star and Hall of Famer, who was once best friends with Michael Jordan but the two have not spoken in over a decade.

Gayle King

A CBS News anchor who interviewed Michael Jordan about his competitive drive and involvement in NASCAR.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Basketball is just a small part of your life. No matter how great you are, you're gonna be done as a young person. You have to find something else to bring you joy and happiness… I'm happy about his success in NASCAR. I'm proud of him.”

— Charles Barkley, NBA Hall of Famer

“The joy of seeing competition, right. I'm a very competitive person. I think I'm cursed. I'm cursed with this competitive gene that, with anything that I do, if it's getting dressed, I have to get dressed before my wife gets dressed. Those type of things. I'm cursed.”

— Michael Jordan

What’s next

Michael Jordan's lawsuit against NASCAR's revenue sharing practices is expected to have a lasting impact on the sport's business model, potentially leading to more equitable distribution of funds between the governing body and individual teams.

The takeaway

The renewed friendship and mutual respect between Michael Jordan and Charles Barkley, despite their long-standing feud, demonstrates the enduring bonds that can form between elite athletes who have shared the highest levels of competition. Jordan's transition to NASCAR ownership also highlights how the competitive drive of former stars can find new outlets beyond their playing careers.