Charles Barkley is finally calling it a day. Well, sort of.
The legendary former NBA star has confirmed that he will leave Inside the NBA after the 2026-27 NBA season. Yes, basketball fans still have one more season of Barkley saying whatever pops into his head before the television legend walks away.
And honestly, television may never recover.
Barkley confirmed the news to reporters and also revealed that his retirement will go beyond the studio. He plans to step away from public appearances after his run on the show ends.
Charles Barkley confirms that this will be his last year on TV doing 'Inside the NBA'.
"I'm going to take a step back from public life…I've had the greatest life a person can have."@wsfa12news @wsfa12sports pic.twitter.com/jG3zIBGZhB
— Davis Baker (@DavisBakerTV) September 28, 2026
So, apparently, Chuck wants to disappear.
“I’m looking forward to this last year. TV has been great to me. I will take a step back from public life. I’ll always come to Auburn, though. I want to make that perfectly clear,” Barkley told NBC Alabama.
“I’m stepping back from public life. It’s been a great run, a great journey. I thank everybody for their support after all these years.
“But I’ll be 64 years old, and Ernie asked me to stay for a couple more years. Last year was one; this year is two.
That is a bold move for a man who has spent decades being one of the loudest and funniest voices in sports.
“I feel really good. This is going to be more like a celebration. I’ve had the greatest life a person could have.”
While fans might be disappointed that Sir Charles won’t be on their screens after 2027, few can blame him for making the decision that he has.
Barkley has made over $100 million in just his broadcast career, along with being one of the best-paid players in the NBA during his active career.
For now, fans still have one more season. So enjoy it, because when Chuck finally walks away, Inside the NBA will not just be losing an analyst, it will be losing its resident chaos machine!
