Charles Barkley Sets Retirement Date for Inside the NBA

Charles Barkley has officially announced that the 2026-27 NBA season will be his final one on TNT's Inside the NBA. The legendary analyst, who has been a prominent figure in basketball media for over two decades, shared this news while attending a golf event at his alma mater, Auburn University.

Barkley, 63, stated his intention to step back from public life after his farewell season, although he emphasized his continued commitment to Auburn. He has earned five Sports Emmy awards for Outstanding Studio Analyst during his tenure with the show, which began in 2000. Co-host Ernie Johnson reportedly encouraged Barkley to extend his time on the program by two seasons, a proposition Barkley agreed to honor, making the 2026-27 season his last.

Barkley's decision comes as TNT's NBA broadcasting rights are transitioning to ESPN. He had previously considered retiring when he turned 60, with his original plan aligning with the 2023 NBA All-Star Game. However, he remained loyal to TNT, reportedly turning down offers from other networks. The move to ESPN was unexpected for Barkley, who expressed initial surprise at the change.