Charles Barkley has doubled down on his plan to retire from Inside the NBA at the end of the upcoming season, and this time, it feels like the real deal. Weeks ago, Sir Charles made headlines by declaring he’d hang up the mic, even claiming long-time co-host Ernie Johnson would be right there with him. But unlike his past retirement talks, what he said most recently gives off a sense of finality that’s hard to ignore.
Stepping Away From EVERYTHING
Barkley caught up with the Montgomery Advertiser before Auburn basketball’s annual Bruce, Barkley and Basketball Golf Tournament, and when he was asked point-blank if he still intended to retire in 2027, he didn’t blink. He reiterated his intention to step away, but it wasn’t just about TV this time. He told them, “I feel great, man. I’m looking forward to this last year. TV has been great to me. I’ma take a step back from public life. I’ma always come to Auburn, though. I want to make that perfectly clear…. I’m stepping back from public life after this year. It’s been a great run, a great journey. I thank everybody for their support all these years.” That line about stepping away from *public life*? Yeah, that’s what makes this different. It hints at a true exit from the spotlight, not just a job change.
The Truth Behind His Last Comeback
Fans probably remember Barkley announcing his intention to retire back in 2024 after the 2024-2025 NBA season. But he walked that back and renewed his contract with TNT Sports instead. He’s since explained why he stayed, and it’s classic Barkley: he did it to save jobs, and Ernie Johnson himself convinced him to stick around a couple more years. Barkley explained, “I’ll be 64 years old. You know, Ernie asked me to stay a couple more years, and last year was one, this year is two. But I feel really good. It’s gonna be more like a celebration because, man, you guys have , I’ve had the greatest life a person could have.” You have to respect a legend who stays on to help his team, even when he’s ready to move on. That’s a true leader right there.
So, the upcoming season will be Barkley’s 27th and final ride on Inside the NBA. It’s going to be bittersweet, for sure. While Barkley seems ready, the situation with Ernie Johnson is still up in the air; a report says Johnson has yet to make a decision about his own future. Regardless, get ready for one last season of Barkley’s unfiltered takes, because after this, it sounds like Sir Charles is truly stepping away. It’s a celebration of an incredible run, and we should all tune in for every single minute of it.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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