NBA Hall of Famer Charles Barkley made it clear this week that he opposes the participation of biological males in women’s sports, calling the idea “stupid” and stating he would not be changing his position regardless of public backlash.

Speaking Thursday on OutKick’s “Don’t @ Me” with Dan Dakich, Barkley addressed the ongoing national debate surrounding transgender athletes.

The 62-year-old retired basketball star stated, “I’m gonna make this very simple for you, Dan. Men should not play sports against women. I’m not gonna get into all the bulls–t that’s going on out here in the world today.”

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Barkley reiterated his support for the LGBTQ community but drew a firm line when it comes to athletics.

“I support the gay community 100%. I support the transgender community 100%. But I do not, under any circumstances… think that men should play sports against women,” Barkley said.

The comments come amid new federal actions surrounding the issue. In February, President Donald Trump signed an executive order prohibiting biological males from participating in women’s sports.

The order directs schools to comply with the new policy or risk losing federal funding.

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The following day, the NCAA announced updates to its own eligibility guidelines, aligning with the federal position by banning all biological males from competing in women’s sports divisions.

Asked whether he feared any backlash for his stance, Barkley remained resolute.

“If anybody has a problem with that, they’re gonna have to get over it because I’m not gonna change my [mind]. I just think it’s wrong, period,” he said.

He added that the issue was not up for debate, stating, “I don’t even think that’s controversial… I don’t wanna hear you try to explain it to me. No, no, no, I don’t wanna hear it. I’m not gonna argue with you. Men shouldn’t play sports against women. I’m done.”

Dakich’s question had referenced circulating reports that Nike may have funded a study related to transgender youth participation in sports.

The rumored project involves physicist Joanna Harper, who is reportedly conducting research on the impact of hormone therapy and puberty blockers on transgender adolescents.

The study was briefly mentioned in a New York Times piece discussing Blaire Fleming, a transgender athlete at San Jose State University who competes on the women’s volleyball team.

Barkley said he was unfamiliar with the reports but raised concerns about administering medical treatments like puberty blockers to minors.

“I don’t even think anybody knows who they are as a young kid,” he said.

“So I think we have to be very careful because you don’t want to put kids in a disadvantageous situation, because, hey, when you get older, you can make your own decision.”

He continued, “I think we have to be very careful screwing around with kids because they’re not fully developed as a person.”

Barkley also dismissed suggestions that there is a cultural trend influencing youth to identify as transgender, saying parents shouldn’t put much stock in everything children say.

“Parents don’t listen to half the s–t our kids say,” he added.

Charles Barkley tells @dandakich anyone arguing men should be able to play women’s sports is stupid. Succinct, accurate: pic.twitter.com/ky6WoHpVo2

— Clay Travis (@ClayTravis) May 8, 2025

Barkley, an 11-time NBA All-Star and longtime sports analyst, has a history of offering unfiltered commentary on social issues.

His latest remarks place him among a growing list of public figures weighing in on the debate over transgender participation in women’s athletics.

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