Auburn’s most iconic basketball alumnus is never one to bite his tongue, and after the university’s record-breaking athletic year, Charles Barkley is making it clear: the time to capitalize is now. The Hall of Famer, NBA legend, and fierce Auburn advocate didn’t hold back when discussing how crucial it is for the university to harness its momentum and invest heavily in its future.
Fresh off Auburn’s unprecedented achievement — becoming the first school in NCAA history to win a national title, reach the WCWS, advance to the men’s basketball Final Four, play in a bowl game, and make the baseball regionals all in the same academic year — Barkley made an impassioned plea during a live national sports broadcast.
“This is the greatest year in Auburn sports history. But if we don’t invest right now, we’re wasting it,” Barkley said. “I don’t want to see this moment fade. We need facilities. We need NIL support. We need to keep these coaches. This isn’t just a good year. This is a defining moment.”
Barkley, who has been a vocal supporter of Auburn for decades, praised the coaching staff across all programs, but emphasized that success in the modern college sports era requires financial backing and long-term vision. He pointed to recent examples of other programs losing key talent and momentum due to underinvestment.
“I love what Bruce Pearl is doing with our basketball team. I love what Hugh Freeze just did with football. Our softball and baseball teams are killing it. But we’ve seen it before — when you don’t support your people, they leave. Auburn’s got to step up.”
Barkley also addressed fans and alumni directly, calling for a surge in booster engagement and NIL contributions to ensure Auburn remains a force in the new era of college athletics.
“You look at what Texas and Georgia are doing in NIL. You think they’re slowing down? Hell no. Auburn’s got the heart. We’ve got the talent. But we need the checkbooks to match it,” Barkley said.
In recent months, Auburn has seen significant increases in donor support and athletic fundraising, but Barkley wants more urgency and national-level commitment. “We’re not just a football school, or a basketball school. We’re an everything school now. And that takes everything we’ve got.”
Athletic Director John Cohen acknowledged Barkley’s comments, stating, “Charles has always had Auburn’s best interests at heart. He’s passionate, and he’s right — the time is now. We’ve made history. Now we have to build a dynasty.”
With Barkley’s powerful voice echoing across the college sports world, Auburn fans are being challenged to match the passion of their athletes with action and investment. Because if 2025 was the breakthrough, then what happens next will determine if Auburn becomes a true powerhouse for years to come.
In Barkley’s words, “No more waiting. Auburn’s arrived. Let’s make sure we stay here.”