T-Mobile Drops Charles Barkley After Embarrassing DUI Arrest

Charles Barkley and Dwyane Wade took the world by storm last year with their T-Mobile "Fave Five" ads. (And with their "FOOTSIES"!) But mostly the ads. They were funny, engaging and actually managed to maintain a decent lifespan without becoming highly annoying.

Apparently, there was a Dwight Howard meets Chuck type of ad planned as well. But you won't be seeing that or any other such ads, because Barkley has been dropped by T-Mobile. The reason? Well, it's his awkward, lecherous, nearly double-the-legal-limit DUI.

In a statement, a T-Mobile spokesman noted that the campaign featuring Mr. Barkley has been successful, but "given the recent developments, for the time being, we've replaced TV ads featuring Mr. Barkley with more general-market advertising." The spokesman added: "As he works through his personal matters, we will evaluate where to go from here."

It's a pretty quick move from T-Mobile, considering Barkley's arrest was less than two weeks ago (New Year's Eve, in fact) but it also came later than TNT deciding to hand Chuck a "leave of absence" from their announcing team.

The reality is that this is a tough market for people trying to sell things; T-Mobile just made a huge, crock-pot infused move onto U.S. soil and there's nothing good about having the voice of your company sound slurred, especially when you're trying to steal consumers away from a really competitive market.

Via AA

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)

1-14-2009 @ 2:40PM

Matt Watson said...

Something to consider: those T-Mobile ads are in heavy rotation during TNT's NBA coverage -- it would have been kind of awkward to come back from a Chuck/D-Wade commercial break to a Chuck-less Inside the NBA.

1-14-2009 @ 5:58PM

SimbaDogg said...

dude...who gives a shiet, its not like he vick, a ray lewis, or even a kobe. people already forgive him...much like they forgave lewis and kobe after months and months of social rehabilitation....so give this man his damn chair, his damn mic, and his damn commercials back.

1-14-2009 @ 7:46PM

Jesse said...

Ha. Think about this - seriously so now announcers are getting punished more for breaking the law then the players are! Ha how messed up is that. If a player gets a DUI he gets a fine and MAYBE gets suspened a game. An announcer/analyst does it and he has lost one commercial deal and gotten pulled from the tv show he is on, Im not sayin Charles is getting pushed to hard. Its just if thats how its gonna be , then the penalties for the playes need to be more harsh.

1-14-2009 @ 10:18PM

ItzaMinkman said...

Governor-erect Porkly can room with Blago

1-14-2009 @ 10:25PM

Pork Chuck is a fat, bald, alcoholic, jobless degenerate gambler...what company WOULDN'T want to support a person of such fine character?!

2-08-2009 @ 8:59PM

marcy1966 said...

agree...right on

1-14-2009 @ 10:29PM

They give Porkly his job and commercials back right after they hire PunkMan Jones.

1-15-2009 @ 8:15AM

abriangrimmett said...

Finally the racist is removed from tv. He is the most racist person on tv other than obama. He is a disgrace not only to america but to the NBA.

1-15-2009 @ 8:52AM

Mr. Miyagi said...

It's a purely racist move. If it was John Maddem or Brent Musberger, do you think they would have lost their jobs and endorsements. Where would Tinactin be without good ol' fatty? I say give Barkley his job back, and maybe a raise too, for being so honest about his intentions.

2-22-2009 @ 12:43AM

GRUMPY OLD FART said...

Here we go still again. Picking on the poor old black man. If someone said a black mans fart smelled, the black man would yell descrimination. When you people ever going to admit who and what you are? Your ancestors may have had a reason to complain but you sure as H--- don`t.

1-17-2009 @ 3:42PM

houstonmann said...

Look this is just blown out of hand.The guy just got a DUI.And abriangrimmett you're out of control with a statement like this.You the one that seem racist.Anyone of us capable of getting a DUI.No reason to fire him.The good thing is nobody was hurt.Does getting a DUI on New Years Eve make one a alcoholic?Hell NO.I'am surprised they still talking about it.Let him pay his fine and live his life.All this crap talking makes no sense at all.And how this make him a disgrace to America?hahahahahaha!!!!!!This is just sick.

1-17-2009 @ 4:50PM

ronnking6 said...

Sir Charles was never a role model and is a self confessed Player. Let the punishment fit the crime. He used poor judgement one night, yet has a life time of charity and compassion. Its not that what he did should be ignored, but his behavior outside this incident is one I have always admired. Sir Charles, I thank you for many wonderful moments both on and off the court.

1-18-2009 @ 12:47PM

Franco said...

They don't what they are doing. Barkley is the coolest person ever. He is so cool that I look up to him as elephant poop. So tasty. Lets get to the point. But Barkley is racist. Whoever says Obama is racist I am going to beat the life out of you. you're just a white boy saying o my gosh Obama is president and he is not white but black. He is better than you bi bush.

1-20-2009 @ 1:37AM

wnnydg2w said...

This is Arizon get a DUI here and you will spend time in jail it dont matter who you are

1-26-2009 @ 2:19AM

Darryl said...

If you are going to make accusations about Barkley being racist, get your facts right. His wife is white so you tell me how many racist do you know that marry outside of their race? So, before you make stupid comments get educated. I agree what he did was stupid but race had nothing to do with it, the idea to remove Barkley was a business move. If you say they let him go because he is black, then why did they hire him in the first place. Think before you open mouth and insert foot!!!!

2-07-2009 @ 5:07PM

the reason I say he is racist is he is always on tv whining about equal opportunity when he got paid millions for playing basketball, our president is black, the sport he plays is full of black millionaires, so like al sharpton, rev. jackson(hyprocrite that is) and the rest of the NAACP, shut up, get up, and get a job and quit your crying.

2-07-2009 @ 5:13PM

then he needs to get over himself, saying they are mistreated over thier color, that is why they not only rule sports but also rule the U.S, so how are they mistreated look like a bunch of money floating in the black nieghborhoods too.

2-08-2009 @ 9:04PM

his intion to be drunk on endanger other drivers how honest is that ...sorry I killed you ...I WAS ONLY HAVING a good time ...sorry!

2-23-2009 @ 9:06PM

freeflowing2001 said...

haters

2-26-2009 @ 7:25PM

ARDEEN said...

Charles Barkley mad a serious mistake. Thank God he didn't kill someone or get into an accident. Don't take a man's livelyhood from him. That is ridculous! He still has to live. Let the punishment fit the crime. There are basketball players who have done worse.

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