Shaquille O’Neal blamed his longtime pal Charles Barkley for allegedly starting the rumor
Shaquille O’Neal had some beef over his chicken restaurant.
On Wednesday, July 17, the basketball legend, 52, joined The View hosts Joy Behar, Whoopi Goldberg, Ana Navarro, Sunny Hostin and Alyssa Farah Griffin on the talk show. The towering guest gave each of the five cohosts a handshake and a hug before diving into their questions.
Goldberg, 68, introduced O’Neal by mentioning that he hadn’t been on The View in a decade and brought a “sweet and Shaqalicious treat.”
The Shaq-shaped sour gummies are a collaboration with Hershey’s. The NBA alum joked, “I knew that if I didn’t answer questions correctly that you ladies were going to bite my head off so I brought you something that you can bite my head off.”
After the group laughed about “nibbling on his face,” Behar, 82, got down to business.
“Before we talk about this new true or false show of yours that you’re hosting,” she began, referencing the new ABC game show, Lucky 13. “Apparently there’s a rumor going around. A big rumor!”
O’Neal interrupted her with a knowing look on his face, “By the way, Charles Barkley, I know you started that and I hate you.”
“Joy,” he continued. “I want to say I would never kick you out of a restaurant. I love you.”
Behar continued to explain that the rumor claimed that she was kicked out of one of his Big Chicken restaurants and banned her “for life!”
The rumor likely started as part of a satirical article that gained traction on social media — but O’Neal continued to jokingly blame his longtime friend.
“Charles Barkley started that and Charles we hate you,” O’Neal repeated. “So you know what I did? Since I’m the owner of the restaurant, I give you a lifetime warranty. I will never kick you out, never, ever.”
During his proclamation, O’Neal handed Behar a physical card to his fried chicken sandwich chain.
The conversation dropped as the group spoke about his love of pedicures and his support of the WNBA but by the end of the segment, Behar continued the bit and said, “I want to know if Charles Barkley will come on this show and apologize.”
With a very serious expression, O’Neal asked, “Am I allowed to say ‘ass’ on the show?” Upon confirmation, he quickly turned to the camera, making a spanking motion with his hand, and said, “Charles Barkley, if you don’t come I’m going to beat your ass. You better come sit with these ladies.”
