Charles Barkley opens up on impending on-air 'rivalry' with new NBC analyst Michael Jordan

Charles Barkley is relishing the return of Michael Jordan to the NBA - but admits he has no idea what to expect when his fellow Hall of Famer begins life as a pundit.

The Chicago Bulls legend is joining NBC as a 'special contributor', with the network set to broadcast NBA games from the 2025-26 season.

Jordan, now 62, has built a reputation for being fiercely private since retiring from the NBA. But he will soon be back in front of the cameras on a rival network to Barkley and some of basketball's most beloved analysts.

'I'm glad to have him back, it's going to be fun watching him,' NBA legend Barkley told the Daily Mail. When asked what Jordan will have in store for fans, he added: 'I don't even know that. I wish I knew!' 

Barkley is part of the hugely popular 'Inside the NBA' crew, which will be shown on ESPN and ABC from next season after TNT lost broadcast rights. He and Jordan were rivals on the court for more than a decade but 'Chuck' played down talk of a battle between the broadcasters.

'We ain't rivals. We're all promoting the same sport. And that's the good thing about it,' he said. 'We're not in competition. We're both trying to make sure the game grows. I'm glad to have him back.'

Barkley was speaking just a couple of weeks after the NBA Draft, when Cooper Flagg and the class of 2025 joined the league. Flagg is considered one of the brightest NBA prospects of recent times but Barkley doesn't put much too stock in the pedigree of any rookie.

'I don't really pay attention to (the draft) because that's just the beginning of the job,' he said. 

'I want to see them play first, because what they did in college don't mean anything to us in the NBA. (But) we have some good young players coming in and I'm looking forward to seeing that growth.'

Earlier this week, meanwhile, the New York Knicks appointed Mike Brown following the firing of Tom Thibodeau in the wake of their playoff loss to the Pacers.

'I like Mike Brown, he's a good coach,' Barkley said. '(But) I don't think it was fair what happened to Tom Thibodeau.'

Barkley was speaking to the Daily Mail ahead of the American Century Championship on the shores of Lake Tahoe, California. A star-studded field of 90 celebrities will battle it out over three rounds at Edgewood Tahoe Golf Course, with the winner set to receive $150,000.

NBA icon Steph Curry is among the favorites but Barkley is the rank outsider at 7,500-1 (+750,000). Aaron Rodgers, Travis Kelce and Jerry Rice are among the other huge names competing.

'I never worry about (the doubters). I just come into have fun,' Barkley said. 'This is the first thing I put on my calendar every year and I'm looking forward to another fun week.'