Charles Barkley ‘disappointed’ by Christine Simpson’s exit from Sportsnet

Charles Barkley was disappointed to see Christine Simpson’s tenure with Sportsnet end after more than a quarter century.

Last week, Simpson took to social media to announce her run covering the NHL for Canada’s Rogers-owned Sportsnet had ended. The news garnered many tributes from around the hockey world and beyond, the beyond part including Charles Barkley. In the wake of Simpsons’s exit, Steve Simmons of the Toronto Sun reached out to Barkley for comment.

“I’m disappointed,” Barkley told Simmons. “I’m disappointed for my friend. She’s a tremendous talent and a just a wonderful person and a great friend.”

Joining Sportsnet for its launch in 1998, Simpson has widely been recognized as a trailblazing NHL reporter who has been lauded for her institutional knowledge and one-on-one interviews with some of the biggest names in the sport.

“I don’t know the circumstances of what happened,” Barkley continued.  “I think she has to be in shock. But I do know this: To have a Canadian woman talking about hockey with her connections has to be a bonus for any network. Any network would be wise to hire her.”

Barkley declined to comment on whether Simpson’s exit from Sportsnet was an example of ageism. Many have wondered if Sportsnet sought to move on from Simpson, who turns 60 next month, to bring in a younger and cheaper option. Barkley, for what it’s worth, is 61 and remains arguably the most popular – and most valuable – studio analyst in sports.

“I can’t answer that question personally because I don’t know,” Barkley said. “I don’t talk about s*** I don’t know about. All I can tell you is I’m surprised and disappointed for her and for those watching.”

Barkley has been a devout hockey fan since getting introduced to the sport shortly after he was drafted by the Philadelphia 76ers in 1984. And according to Simmons, Barkley has known Simpson for more than 20 years, with the two meeting in Las Vegas while she was there with Wayne Gretzky. Since that trip, Barkley and Simpson have developed a close friendship over the years.

[Toronto Sun]