Charles Barkley Announces 2026-27 Will Be His Final Season on Inside the NBA
Charles Barkley said the upcoming 2026-27 NBA season will be his last as a commentator on Inside the NBA, and the same applies to co-host Ernie Johnson.
Charles Barkley told listeners on "The Bill Simmons Podcast" that the 2026-27 NBA season will be his final year on the studio program Inside the NBA, and that host Ernie Johnson is also expected to depart after that season. Barkley said Johnson had previously asked him to remain for two additional years as the show transitioned from TNT to ESPN, and he agreed at the time. He added that, unless Johnson changes his mind, next season will be his last.
The former player, now 63, explained that he originally planned to retire at age 60 but stayed on while the program negotiated a new broadcast deal. When TNT lost the NBA rights and ESPN took over, Barkley decided to continue so that the behind-the-scenes staff could keep their jobs, noting his long-standing relationships with the crew.
Inside the NBA, which debuted in 1989 and features Shaquille O’Neal and Kenny Smith alongside Johnson, has not yet released its broadcast schedule for the upcoming season.