Charles Barkley says he and longtime co-host Ernie Johnson plan to retire from TNT/ESPN’s “Inside the NBA” after next season. Barkley indicates that, barring a change of mind by Johnson, the upcoming year would be his last on the show.
The outlets broadly agree on the timing and the joint nature of the decision. The Hollywood Reporter and Yahoo Sports frame it as a planned exit after the next season, while also noting Barkley and Johnson’s long partnership on the program. The Athletic adds context that Barkley is asked to remain involved through the show’s transition from TNT to ESPN, suggesting his final season aligns with that broader network change.
While the specific phrasing varies—ranging from a straightforward “retiring after next season” to “final season unless Johnson changes his mind”—all accounts describe a conclusion to their long run together on “Inside the NBA,” which began in 2000 and has become one of the NBA’s most recognizable studio shows.
