Barkley says he and Johnson plan to leave ‘Inside the NBA’ after 2026-27

The pair gave ESPN’s version a two-season window.

Wire Report IntelligenceUpdated Sep 41 min read

On this podcast visit with @BillSimmons, Charles Barkley says he and Ernie Johnson planned to do Inside The NBA for only Via @TheSteinLine on X

What happened: Charles Barkley told Bill Simmons his timeline is firm unless Ernie Johnson changes his mind. ESPN began carrying the TNT Sports-produced show during the 2025-26 season.

Why it matters: The prospective departures would remove the program’s longtime host and signature analyst. ESPN would have one season to prepare for a possible on-air overhaul.

By the numbers: ESPN’s 11-year NBA rights extension runs from 2025-26 through 2035-36; Barkley’s plan

What to watch: Johnson’s plans and ESPN’s response will determine whether 2026-27 becomes a farewell season or the timeline shifts.

Sources

@TheSteinLine 2026-09-04T20:50:45.232225+00:00

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