Charles Barkley said the upcoming 2026-27 NBA season will be his final year on "Inside the NBA," with host Ernie Johnson also planning to step away at the same time. Barkley made the comments during an episode of "The Bill Simmons Podcast" released Thursday.

Barkley told Simmons that Johnson asked him to commit to two more years before last season, as "Inside the NBA" transitioned from TNT to ESPN.

"I said: 'I love you, man. You're the best. I'll stay,'" said Barkley. "So right now, unless Ernie changes his mind, next year is my last year, 100 percent."

Barkley, 63, said he originally planned to retire at age 60 but agreed to stay while the show negotiated a new broadcast deal. When TNT lost its NBA broadcast rights and ESPN acquired the rights to "Inside," Barkley said he chose to return in part to help preserve jobs for the show's off-camera staff.

"I really love the people," said Barkley. "I've been with them for 26, 27 years."

"Inside the NBA," which also features Shaquille O'Neal and Kenny Smith, debuted in 1989. Johnson took over as host the following year, and Barkley joined the show in 2000.