Charles Barkley -- who famously announced his intention to run for Governor of Alabama in 2014 -- says he's officially abandoned his plans to run because politics are a "bad business right now."


As you may recall, Barkley told CNN's Campbell Brown that he was "serious" about his plans to run for public office ... but last night in NY, the Round Mound of Rebound explained, "politics are not a lot of fun right now."

Vegas, on the other hand -- Chuck is always down for Sin City!

Brett Favre crossed a major line by allegedly texting pics of his penis to a woman -- Charles Barkley says the Vikings QB broke one of the Ten Commandments ... y'know, the one about tiny man-junk.


Barkley joined The Roundtable on WJOX in Birmingham this morning -- and told the host, “My biggest problem with the whole Favre thing is if you’re going to send a woman a picture of your junk, it should be huge."

Check out the other verbal gems Chuck dropped this morning.

Judging by his size, one might think Charles Barkley would eat anything -- and everything -- put in front of him. Not true.

We're told Chuck had a serious problem with the food he was served during his short stint in an Arizona jail. Charles was given sloppy joes, potatoes, pear chunks, zucchini, a bread roll and a slice of margarine.

His reaction: "Man ... this stuff tastes like sh*t."

Chuck's special tent, separate from the other inmates, did not come with access to the vending machines with junk food and candy. So his lawyers were allowed to bring him some junk food and candy from the outside.

You can lock up the man ... but not his sweet tooth.

Charles Barkley is done with his jail sentence.

Barkley was released from Tent City Jail in Arizona just before 8:00 AM today after serving his 3 day stint for a DUI bust.

For his safety, he was housed in a separate tent from other inmates and had his meals brought to him.

No word on how far Sir Charles got in "The Complete Idiot's Guide to Learning Spanish."

A less sweaty, Nike track suit wearing Sir Charles Barkley posed for this new mugshot when he entered Tent City Jail in Arizona yesterday.

Barkley -- who will finish his 3-day sentence for DUI tomorrow -- is allowed to rock the track suit because he's in on "work release."

Charles Barkley finished delivering a news conference from inside the Tent City Jail in Phoenix, AZ this afternoon, and his fellow inmates are already cheering for him like it's the "Shawshank Redemption."


Sitting next to Sheriff Joe Arpaio, the NBA Hall-of-Famer started with a typical PSA monologue, saying he made a mistake and had "learned not to drink and drive." Barkley reiterated that he is not a role model. Understatement of the year.

But the good stuff came after the newser, when inmate P519798 played politician -- shaking hands and even posing for pictures! All within the confines of jail. Oh, and apparently he's aware that TMZ broke the story of his DUI arrest.

If you're wondering what Sir Charles will do in his downtime over the next three days -- he's reading "The Complete Idiot's Guide to Learning Spanish." Ay Dios Mio!

Charles Barkley has just stepped up to deliver a press conference from inside Tent City Jail in Arizona.



Before the presser, Barkley was photographed as he first got to Tent City by KTVK in Phoenix. In the photos, Barkley is rocking a Nike tracksuit, a gold chain and a ridiculous grin.

Contrary to earlier reports, Barkley will not be forced to wear the legendary pink boxers or striped uniform.

Because he is on "work release," he will be able to stay in his clothes the entire time.

Story developing ... video to follow soon.

Live, from incarceration -- it's Charles Barkley?!

The Maricopa County Sheriff's Office told us they have authorized their most famous inmate to speak with the press while serving time inside the facility.

We're told it's all going down in about an hour -- 2:15 EST.

Stay tuned ...

TMZ has learned Charles Barkley will only have to serve three days in an Arizona jail -- not the five he was expected to serve.

The Scottsdale City court tells TMZ the City Prosecutor recommended the reduction in punishment for his December 31st DUI bust, but it's unclear why the change was made.

Barkley was originally sentenced to 10 days in jail -- but he had the option of only doing five days if he completed an alcohol education program.

He will begin his sentence at Tent City Jail -- where they make the inmates wear pink -- on March 21.

Hope they've got XXXXL jumpsuits in AZ, 'cause Charles Barkley is officially going to jail.

Barkley just pled guilty to 2 counts of driving under the influence and pleaded "responsible" to running a stop sign for the December 31 incident in Scottsdale.

Barkley was sentenced to 10 days in jail -- but will only do five if he completes an alcohol education program. Barkley was also fined $2,000.

Barkley will begin his sentence on March 21 -- but it's unclear if he will serve time in Arizona's famed Tent City Jail, where they make the inmates wear pink.

As for the gun cops say they found in Barkley's car on the night of the arrest -- no charges were ever filed.

Charles Barkley has finally admitted how "stupid" he was for drinking and driving -- and it only took him two months to publicly admit it.

For the first time since his Dec. 31st arrest, Barkley is finally addressing the subject, telling a Florida paper, "Clearly, I made a mistake drinking and driving. And I'm getting penalized for that, and rightfully so."

He added, "Drinking and driving is a very serious thing. It was stupid, and it was 100 percent my fault,''

Chuck also felt compelled to weigh in on Michael Phelps, saying, "I don't think he's the worst person in the world. Everybody's a hypocrite right now ...I guess they want us to take him out back and shoot him. He made a mistake and I wish him nothing but the best.''

Barkley's next court date is yet to be determined.