Charles Barkley says this is final season for him and Ernie Johnson on ‘Inside the NBA’
The New York Times • • sports
Key Points:
- Charles Barkley announced that the 2026-27 NBA season will likely be his final season on "Inside the NBA," alongside host Ernie Johnson.
- Barkley revealed that Johnson asked him to stay for two more years during the show's transition from TNT to ESPN, which he agreed to out of loyalty.
- Barkley, who originally planned to retire at 60, decided to continue working to support the off-camera staff amid the broadcast rights shift.
- "Inside the NBA," featuring Barkley, Johnson, Shaquille O’Neal, and Kenny Smith, has been on air since 1989, with Barkley joining in 2000.
- The broadcast schedule for the upcoming NBA season has not yet been announced.
