{
  "id": 5749637,
  "title": "Charles Barkley is ‘100 percent’ leaving Inside the NBA unless one condition is met",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/05/charles-barkley-is-100-percent-leaving-inside-the-nba-unless-one",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-09-05T08:40:13.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Yahoo Sports",
    "slug": "yahoo-sports",
    "url": "https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/charles-barkley-100-percent-leaving-084013585.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Charles Barkley has declared his intention to depart from Inside the NBA unless a specific condition is met. Last season, the show switched from TNT Sports to ESPN, but the core crew remained intact, consisting of Barkley, Shaquille O'Neal, Ernie Johnson, and Kenny Smith. However, Barkley and Johnson may be leaving the show after just one season. Barkley explained on The Bill Simmons podcast that Johnson, who is 70, is planning to retire. Barkley emphasized that he and Johnson are \"a package deal,\" meaning if Johnson does not change his mind, Barkley's last year on the show is next season. Johnson has no plans to return, which could lead to the network replacing him with another co-host. Replacing Barkley will be more challenging due to his distinctive insights and exceptional rapport with his co-hosts.",
  "summary": "NBA legend Charles Barkley’s time with ESPN and Inside the NBA may come to a quick end. Last season, Inside the NBA officially moved on from TNT Sports as the show started airing on ESPN.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Yahoo Sports",
        "title": "Charles Barkley declares this season will be the last for him and Ernie Johnson on ‘Inside the NBA’",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/04/charles-barkley-declares-this-season-will-be-the-last-for-him-and",
        "published": "2026-09-04T18:30:20.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Hollywood Reporter",
        "title": "Charles Barkley Says He’s Retiring Alongside Ernie Johnson After Next NBA Season",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/04/charles-barkley-says-hes-retiring-alongside-ernie-johnson-after-next",
        "published": "2026-09-04T20:30:34.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}