"You can't teach class" - San Antonio mayor claps back at Charles Barkley over his criticism of the city - Texas News Beep

The New York Knicks stormed back from a 14-point third-quarter deficit to hijack Game 1 at Frost Bank Center, leaving San Antonio Spurs fans utterly stunned and panicked.

But before the main event even tipped off, the pregame show delivered a heavy-hitting clash of its own. Charles Barkley went toe-to-toe with San Antonio Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones, who clearly kept receipts on every single savage comment the NBA legend has hurled at the city’s women over the years.

Appearing live on “Inside the NBA” pregame show, the studio crew welcomed the Mayor. She immediately locked targets on the Phoenix Suns icon, showing zero mercy and proving she hadn’t forgotten the years of relentless trash-talk.

“I learned a long time ago, you can’t teach courage, you can’t teach class, and Mr. Barkley reminds us of that,” she said.

Barkley actually did offer his version of an apology

While the crew and Barkley himself tried to laugh it off on the outdoor set, it was clear as day: Mayor hadn’t forgotten Barkley’s viral, repetitive habit of calling San Antonio women “fat and big”.

Barkley tried to play it cool, deflecting by talking about how much he loved walking around town before the Finals and how beautifully the locals treated him. But Ortiz Jones wasn’t throwing in the towel just yet, taking a direct jab at his weight.

“We know he’s on a diet, but we know he’s not really on a diet, so here are the churros — Chucky churros,” she said.

The 16-year NBA veteran rolled with the punches. Realizing he was deep in enemy territory, he bit right into them, despite constantly reminding everyone he’s on a diet, a battle that was highly visible throughout this season’s broadcasts.

Over the years, Barkley has built an empire on his razor-sharp tongue and unfiltered NBA commentary, though even he admits he has crossed the line of good taste more than a few times.

And yet, Barkley actually did offer his version of an apology to the women of San Antonio.

“I want to apologize to the women of San Antonio,” he said with a wry half-smile. “Because, Ernie, I had churros last night. I see what all the excitement is about. I had churros last night. Woooh! Them d— things good, Ernie. Them churros good. I see what the big ol’ women got in San Antonio. Them churros are the bomb!”

Barkley’s raw and unfiltered humor

Naturally, the apology couldn’t pass without Barkley dropping one more signature dig. After all, this is the same guy who sparked outrage when he once claimed women fake childbirth pain.

“Let me tell you something. Women be milking that baby thing too. It can’t be nearly as bad as playing a basketball game with a sprained ankle,” he famously quipped.

Still, anyone who lives and breathes the league knows this is just Barkley’s raw, unfiltered humor. That exact edge is the secret sauce behind his TV genius, propelling the show to global superstardom alongside Shaquille O’Neal, Kenny Smith and Ernie Johnson.

In their own unforgettable way, they took their hardwood dominance and translated it perfectly into television gold.

This story was originally published by Basketball Network on Jun 4, 2026, where it first appeared in the Off The Court section. Add Basketball Network as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

“You can’t teach class” – San Antonio mayor claps back at Charles Barkley over his criticism of the city

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