It’s a bird… It’s a plane… Nope, it’s a Charles Barkely blimp. If you’re outside in Dallas next week and look up, you might just see the former NBA player and sports commentator superimposed on a blimp.

In preparation of the NCAA Men’s Final Four in Phoenix, Capital One (the tournament’s sponsor) is debuting a “Chuck Blimp.” It’s going to fly over DFW on March 25 on its weeklong flight to Phoenix, according to a release.

UPDATE 3-28-2024: The blimp will be flying over White Rock Lake at about 12 pm on March 28.
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The Chuck Blimp is cruising across the country at about 35 mph, and should be viewable from bystanders on the ground. The 128-foot-long blimp is about the length of 20 Barkleys, who is 6′ 6″. It sports a beaming likeness of the basketball legend, laying on his stomach and holding a basketball, Superman-style.

Like Barkley, the blimp has been given several nicknames, such as “Soar Charles,” “Charles Flightly,” “The Up Chuck,” “Air Chuck One,” and “The Ugly Chuckling.” All in fun.

As for human Barkley, he seems to be taking the blimp in good humor. His reaction to learning about the blimp, where he laughs and says, “That’s a handsome blimp,” was posted on Capital One’s Instagram.

There’s also a commercial, of course.

The best spot to see the Barkley blimp will be the Trinity Overlook Park at 110 W. Commerce St. But you can also track its flight status by following Capital One’s Instagram, where they’ll post updates.