Charles Barkley expects to retire from Inside the NBA after this season
Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Sep 4, 2026, 6:30 PM
Last updated Sep 4, 2026
Charles Barkley announced he plans to retire from Inside the NBA following the conclusion of the upcoming season. The Hall of Famer stated he and anchor Ernie Johnson operate as a package deal, and he expects Johnson to retire at the same time. Barkley previously agreed to remain with the show to serve as a bridge to the ESPN era after TNT Sports lost its NBA broadcast rights. While Barkley has teased retirement in past offseasons, he emphasized that this decision is final barring a change of heart from Johnson. The future of the program remains subject to ongoing business agreements between TNT and ESPN. Barkley declined higher-paying offers from other networks to stay with his longtime colleagues for one final year.
- •Charles Barkley declared this season will be his last on Inside the NBA.
- •Barkley stated Ernie Johnson plans to retire at the end of the year.
- •Barkley turned down higher contract offers from NBC to remain with Turner.
- •The show is currently licensed to ESPN following the loss of NBA rights by TNT Sports.
- 6:30 PMYahoo Sports — Charles Barkley declares this season will be the last for him and Ernie Johnson on ‘Inside the NBA’
"We’re six weeks out from the start of another NBA season, which means it’s time for the annual tradition of Charles Barkley retirement watch. Barkley notably returned to Inside the NBA even after TNT Sports lost NBA broadcast rights and licensed the show to ESPN, and was part of the show’s coverage of its first-ever NBA…
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