One of the most beloved duos in sports television may be approaching its final season.
Charles Barkley revealed that the 2026-27 NBA season could be his final year on “Inside the NBA,” and he says longtime host Ernie Johnson could be leaving alongside him.
During an appearance on The Bill Simmons Podcast, Barkley made it clear that his future is closely tied to Johnson’s.
“Me and Ernie are a package deal. So right now, unless Ernie changes his mind, next year is my last year 100 percent.”
Barkley explained that when the future of “Inside the NBA” was uncertain following TNT Sports’ loss of NBA media rights, Johnson convinced him to stay with the program for two more years. The show subsequently made the move to ESPN while retaining its iconic core crew.
Barkley said his decision to remain wasn’t primarily about money. Instead, he wanted to help ensure that the show’s longtime behind-the-scenes staff could continue working.
“The only reason I stayed is so that everybody could keep their jobs behind the scenes,” Barkley said.
Now, that two-year window appears to be approaching its conclusion.
Johnson has been the face of “Inside the NBA” since 1990, making him the longest-tenured member of the show’s legendary lineup. Barkley joined the program in 2000, following his Hall of Fame playing career.
Together with Shaquille O’Neal and Kenny Smith, Barkley and Johnson helped transform a traditional NBA studio program into one of the most entertaining and culturally significant shows in sports television.
The chemistry between Johnson and Barkley has been particularly special. Johnson’s professionalism and Barkley’s unfiltered personality created a dynamic that produced countless memorable moments, arguments, jokes and viral clips over the years.
However, there is one important caveat: Johnson has not publicly confirmed that he will retire after the 2026-27 season. Barkley has made clear that if Johnson decides to continue, his own plans could change.
“If Ernie retires after next year, I’m done,” Barkley said. “I have so much love and respect for that guy. If he says he’s done, I’m gone.”
That makes the upcoming season potentially much bigger than simply another year of “Inside the NBA.”
It could be the final chapter of the Barkley-Johnson era.
And if it is, basketball fans will have an entire season to appreciate one of the greatest partnerships sports television has ever produced.
How do you feel about Charles Barkley and Ernie Johnson potentially leaving “Inside the NBA” after next season?
Is this the end of an era for the greatest sports studio show ever?
