Overview

• During a segment on playoff bench scoring, Charles Barkley questioned whether Billy Ray Bates was still alive, prompting Shaquille O’Neal to incorrectly claim he had passed away.
• Billy Ray Bates, a former NBA player and PBA legend, is alive at age 68, with a celebrated overseas career and a brief but impactful NBA tenure.
• Ernie Johnson issued a formal apology and correction on April 22, acknowledging the error as inaccurate, insensitive, and inexcusable.
• The incident highlights the challenges of balancing unscripted banter with factual accuracy on live broadcasts.
• The apology has drawn attention to Bates’s legacy, reigniting interest in his historic performances and career achievements.