Charles Barkley Confirms Retirement From TV, Insists He's 'Stepping Away From Public Life'

Charles Barkley has again said he intends to retire from television after the 2026-27 NBA season, insisting his next campaign on Inside the NBA will be his final one.

Barkley addressed his future during NBA Media Day on Monday as teams across the league gathered ahead of the new season. The NBA confirmed that 28 teams held their Media Days on 28 September, with training camps opening the following day.

'I'm looking forward to this last year,' Barkley said, according to Davis Baker of WSFA 12 News in Alabama.

'TV has been great to me. I'm gonna take a step back from public life. I'm gonna always come to Auburn, though. I wanted to make that perfectly clear. People ask me, and I say, yeah, I'm stepping back from public life after this year.'

Barkley, who will turn 64 during the upcoming NBA season, has previously spoken about walking away from broadcasting. This time, however, 'The Round Mound of Rebound' appeared particularly emphatic about his plans.

'It's been a great run,' Barkley continued. 'It's been a great journey. I thank everybody for their support all these years, but I'll be 64 years old.'

'Ernie Asked Me To Stay a Couple More Years'

Barkley revealed that his longtime Inside the NBA co-host Ernie Johnson had previously encouraged him to remain with the programme beyond his original retirement plans.

'Ernie [Johnson] asked me to stay a couple more years. Last year was one, this year is two,' Barkley said.

'But I feel really good. This is going to be more like a celebration, because, man, I've had the greatest life a person can have.'

The comments follow Barkley's recent conversation with Bill Simmons, during which he was even more direct about his plans.

'Next year is my last year, 100 percent,' Barkley said earlier this month.

Barkley has been one of the central figures on Inside the NBA alongside Johnson, Shaquille O'Neal and Kenny Smith. The programme, which has been on television for more than three decades, has won 21 Sports Emmy Awards and is recognised for its unscripted blend of basketball analysis and entertainment.

The show's future has also changed significantly since ESPN became involved. Inside the NBA now serves as the pregame, half-time and postgame studio programme for selected NBA coverage on ESPN and ABC, including major games and the NBA Finals.

Johnson's Future Remains Uncertain

Barkley has developed a reputation for repeatedly discussing retirement during his broadcasting career, only to return for another season. His latest comments therefore come with some history attached.

Nevertheless, he has now repeatedly identified the 2026-27 campaign as his final season. The NBA's new campaign officially begins on 20 October, with the regular-season schedule running through 11 April 2027.

For Barkley, the season could therefore represent the closing chapter of a remarkable second career. After establishing himself as one of the NBA's greatest players, the Hall of Famer became equally recognisable to a new generation through his work on Inside the NBA.

This time, the NBA Hall of Famer says he wants to walk away on his own terms.