With a new season on the horizon, basketball fans can look forward to another season of ‘Inside the NBA,’ featuring the iconic cast of Charles Barkley, Ernie Johnson, Kenny Smith, and Shaquille O’Neal. The show has been airing for 37 years and has become one of the most iconic and beloved pieces of sports media in existence.
Unfortunately for the fans, however, ‘Inside the NBA’ may never be the same after the 2026-27 campaign. According to Charles Barkley, who recently appeared on the Bill Simmons podcast, both he and Ernie Johnson will be heading toward retirement after this season, marking the end of an era for NBA coverage.
“Me and Ernie are a package deal. So, Ernie said to me, ‘Chuck, would you please stay for two more years? I said, ‘You know what, Ernie, I love you, man, you’re the best; I’ll stay for two more years.’ So, right now, unless Ernie changes his mind, next year is my last year 100%… Ernie told me this year and next year were his last two years,” said Barkley on the Bill Simmons podcast. “But the only reason I stayed is so everyone can keep their jobs behind the scenes. We’re talking about over 200 people. I’m hoping the show keeps going on ESPN, but if Ernie retires after next year, I’m done, because we’re a package deal. I have so much love and respect for that guy; if he says he’s done, I’m gone. Because I could have went to NBC and make more money if I was concerned about money. But it’s not about the money; I said I’m done.”
Before he was the star of ‘Inside the NBA,’ Barkley was known for his iconic career as an 11x All-Star and 11x All-NBA player, averaging 22.1 points, 11.7 rebounds, and 3.9 assists per game over 16 seasons. After his NBA retirement, Barkley put his comedic talents to use by joining the media sector, where he has only expanded his legacy over nearly four decades.
Over the years, Barkley has gotten more and more comfortable with his TV role, to the point where ‘Inside the NBA’ became the most popular halftime viewing experience for fans. And while Barkley intended to step away by 60 years old, he’s postponed retirement several times to reprise his role on the show.
“I told TNT I was going to retire at 60, and they said, ‘Oh, he’s full of sh*t, he’s not going to retire.’ So I said this is my last year, and they said, ‘What do you mean?’ Then they said to me, Do us a favor, stay two more years until we get the new deal. I talked it over with my friends, and I said, ‘Okay, I’ll stay until 62, which was last year.’ Little did I know these idiots were going to lose the deal,” Barkley added. “I was going to pass it to Jamal Crawford or Jalen Rose; I’m good. Then they said, ‘Well, we can’t let people think you’re retiring because we’re negotiating a new TV deal.'”
Barkley never expected the show to move to ESPN, and the transition only further complicated his timeline. While he never felt he owed anything to the network, he wanted to help his ‘Inside the NBA’ crew (which includes hundreds of employees) keep their jobs, as he’s developed a close and personal relationship with many of them after so many years.
In the end, many questions remain about the future of the show. With Barkley and Ernie Johnson gone, will it live on past the upcoming season? If so, who will step in to replace half of the beloved crew? Only time will settle these unknowns, but Barkley’s investment ends after the 2027-28 season.
