Charles Barkley lays out '100 percent' retirement from covering NBA on TV

Sian JonesSat, September 5, 2026 at 3:58 PM UTC

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Charles Barkley has hinted he could retire from covering the NBA on TV -Credit:ESPN

Charles Barkley has confirmed he is “100 percent” retiring from NBA television coverage after this season next year.

The NBA legend-turned-sports media personality recently appeared on The Bill Simmons Podcast, where he once again hinted at his plans to retire. Last season, Inside the NBA officially moved from TNT to ESPN after TNT lost its NBA media rights deal. ABC, ESPN, NBC and Amazon Prime Video took over the league’s television package as part of an 11-year agreement worth at least $76 billion.

The future of the popular studio show remained uncertain for some time as the new deal was negotiated, but the iconic lineup of Barkley, Ernie Johnson, Kenny ‘The Jet’ Smith and Shaquille O’Neal ultimately made the move to ESPN. It comes as Chicago Sky issue stern statement in responds to Enes Kanter Freedom lawsuit.

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The quartet covered their first NBA Finals together on ESPN last year and appeared to have carried the show’s much-loved chemistry into its new home. But Barkley’s latest comments have cast fresh doubt over the group’s future, with the NBA legend revealing that he and longtime host Johnson could both leave the show.

“Me and Ernie are a package deal,” Barkley told Simmons. “So right now, unless Ernie changes his mind, next year is my last year 100 percent.”

This isn't the first time 63-year-old Barkley has hinted at retirement, but it is the first time anyone from the show has suggested that 70-year-old Johnson could also be considering an exit in the near future.

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Last year, the NBA Hall of Famer appeared on The Dan Patrick Show to discuss his retirement plans. Patrick playfully asked Barkley, who has been part of Inside the NBA since 2000: “Are you unemployed right now?” "No, I signed a deal last week, Dan," Barkley answered.

Charles Barkley has hinted that him and Ernie Johnson could leave Inside NBA -Credit:Getty Images

However, Barkley said he did not see himself doing the show for much longer, despite recently signing a seven-year deal. "Like I said, I didn't officially sign it until last week," Barkley added.

"I said I'd work for two more years, and that's what I agreed to. And I'm going to have to trust them. But listen, you know, if they start trying to work me too much between ESPN and TNT, I'm just going to walk on home.

"I actually have seven years left on my contract. I'm like, yeah, there's no way I'm working seven years. I'm gonna be a good soldier for Kenny, Ernie, and Shaq, and the people I work with because I love the people I work with, especially behind the scenes. But the best I can do is two years."

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What happens next for Barkley and Johnson remains unclear. ESPN could face a significant challenge replacing either member of the iconic lineup, particularly given the pair’s longstanding roles on the show.

However, Barkley has previously hinted at retirement only to return, meaning his latest comments do not necessarily signal an imminent exit.

Original Article on Source

Source: “AOL Entertainment”