Charles Barkley Plans to Leave Inside the NBA After Next Season If Ernie Johnson Retires

During a Thursday recording of The Bill Simmons Podcast, Charles Barkley confirmed he intends to retire from Inside the NBA after the next NBA season, but only if Ernie Johnson also steps down. Barkley explained that his continued presence is largely to protect the behind-the-scenes staff and out of admiration for Johnson. Johnson has anchored the show since TNT acquired NBA rights in 1990, with Barkley joining ten years later following his own playing career.

Inside the NBA recently transitioned to one outlet as part of Warner Bros. Discovery’s settlement with the league. While the show’s future format appears stable, finding successors for Johnson’s and Barkley’s roles will be challenging, with analysts Shaquille O’Neal and Kenny Smith showing no retirement plans and former players like Jeff Teague, Kevin Garnett and Richard Jefferson mentioned as possible candidates.