While Charles Barkley seems determined to finally call it quits after the upcoming NBA season, his prominent co-host on Inside the NBA still hasn't made his final decision yet.
According to Ryan Glasspiegel of Front Office Sports, Ernie Johnson has no clear plans yet to retire from broadcasting.
"Charles Barkley said recently on Bill Simmons pod that Ernie Johnson had plans to retire after this season. A source told that Johnson’s decision is still up in the air," Glasspiegel wrote on X (formerly Twitter).
Charles Barkley announces retirement plans
Charles Barkley made a recent appearance on the Bill Simmons Podcast, where the basketball legend formally announced that he is planning to retire by the end of the 2026-27 NBA season.
As such, Barkley further revealed that his decision will still depend on whether Ernie Johnson would also walk away for good.
"I said: 'I love you, man. You're the best. I'll stay for two more years,'" Barkley shared.
"Me and Ernie are a package deal. So right now, unless Ernie changes his mind, next year is my last year, 100 percent."
Johnson has served as the anchor and linchpin of the critically acclaimed "Inside the NBA" show since 1990. He anchors the iconic desk alongside analysts Barkley, Kenny Smith, and Shaquille O'Neal.
Inside the NBA originally aired on TNT for nearly 36 years before officially shifting its broadcast distribution to ESPN and ABC for the 2025-26 NBA season.