September 4, 2026 • 9:02 PM EDT
Updated 1 hours ago
Charles Barkley looks set to step away from Inside the NBA after one more season, and it’s not just his call. He revealed the retirement timeline during an appearance on The Bill Simmons Podcast, confirming he and Ernie Johnson have a deal to stick with the iconic show for two years as it moves from TNT to ESPN. The bottom line? Unless Johnson decides to shift gears, both plan to call it quits after the 2026-27 season.
The whole thing started when Simmons joked about Barkley’s many false retirements. Barkley admitted he had planned to retire at 60, but Johnson talked him into sticking around for the sake of their crew. It’s a close partnership. If Johnson walks, Barkley says he is gone too—no gray area.
According to Yahoo Sports, Barkley was actually ready to retire when TNT lost the NBA broadcast rights, which threw Inside the NBA’s future into limbo. It wasn’t until Johnson approached him after a last-minute rescue—from a fresh ESPN deal—that Barkley signed on for two additional seasons, mainly to help the crew keep their jobs. That’s loyalty, plain and simple.
Here’s the standout moment from Barkley: “Me and Ernie are a package deal,” he told Simmons. Barkley explained that Ernie Johnson asked him to stay for two more years both out of friendship, and to keep the crew intact. “So right now, unless Ernie changes his mind, next year is my last year, 100 percent. If he says he’s done, I’m gone.” That’s as decisive as it gets.
If both do retire, it sets up a rare on-air farewell for not just Barkley and Johnson, but for the chemistry-driven lineup alongside Shaquille O’Neal and Kenny Smith. Barkley also mentioned he’d envisioned Jamal Crawford and Jalen Rose eventually taking the baton—both have prior show experience and NBA credibility.
What makes Barkley’s exit different than the usual media shuffle is the human angle. The future of the technical team and supporting cast weighed heavily in the decision. Barkley said Johnson made it clear that the show’s move to ESPN meant their shared presence could help everyone stay employed. That kind of behind-the-scenes loyalty often gets lost, but it’s front and center in Barkley’s account.
Barkley revealed he did field offers from NBC and Amazon after TNT lost the NBA deal, but turned them down. He wanted a smaller TV footprint anyway, telling Simmons, “The last thing you wanna be is on every show. I don’t want people to start getting sick of my face. I’m very strategic.” He hasn’t been on ESPN shows since last season, making this curtain call even more meaningful for longtime fans.
Why this retirement plan matters to Inside the NBA fans
This is more than just two TV legends walking off into the sunset. Inside the NBA has built its reputation on chemistry, candid talk, and unpredictability. If Barkley and Johnson actually exit together, it radically changes the face—and feel—of an NBA coverage institution.
- Barkley and Johnson have been the show’s emotional and comedic anchors
- Staff job security weighed into the decision to stay (and retire together)
- The move from TNT to ESPN nearly derailed the show’s future
- Succession planning is underway with Jamal Crawford and Jalen Rose
- Barkley declined outside media offers, reinforcing his loyalty to teammates
- The show’s production crew benefits from at least one more year of stability
Key takeaways for NBA viewers and bettors
- This is the likely last year with Barkley and Johnson together on Inside the NBA
- Their friendship and joint pact have kept the show’s core together through TV rights chaos
- Shaq and Kenny Smith are expected to remain through next season—after that, the lineup is in flux
- Barkley is openly pushing Crawford and Rose as his preferred successors
- If Johnson retires early, Barkley will also leave
- Barkley and Johnson’s team-first approach holds the current crew steady for another season
- The ESPN move almost ended the show, but safeguards are now in place—at least for one final run
- Barkley passed up NBC and Amazon for finishing strong as a package with Johnson and their crew
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