Charles Barkley claims this will be his and Ernie Johnson’s last season on Inside the NBA. Yes, again.
Of course, as has been the case before, there is one caveat.
Charles Barkley almost retired when Inside the NBA was canceled by TNT before the show eventually moved to ESPN. He says Ernie Johnson is the reason why he came back.
“I meet with NBC, and with Amazon. NBC offers me a deal. I’m like, ‘I appreciate it, but no, thank you.’ Amazon never offered me a deal, but I met with him. I said, “No, thank you. So, I think I’m retired. I get a call from Ernie, who’s the person I trust and respect the most,” Charles Barkley said this week on The Bill Simmons Podcast.
“Ernie said to me, ‘Chuck, would you please stay for two more years?’ I said, Ernie, I love you, man. You’re the best. I said, I’ll stay for two more years. So right now, unless Ernie changes his mind, next year is my last year, one hundred percent.
Charles Barkley explained that Ernie Johnson convinced him to return
“He says, ‘Chuck, they got this deal on the table, but ESPN is going to take our show. Would you consider keep working?’ I said, not really. He said, ‘But everybody can keep their job, and [continue getting] checks behind the scenes. I really love the people. I’ve been with them for 26-27, years. I [asked] Ernie, how long do you want to stay? He says, “Let’s keep their job for two more years.’ I said, “‘Ernie, I’ll stay for two more years.’ But he says, “Chuck, I’m planning on retiring in two years. Me and Ernie are a package deal.”
It’s interesting to note that Ernie Johnson hasn’t made his retirement date public. According to Barkley, his departure depends solely on that choice. Should that happen one has to wonder what that would mean for Shaquille O’Neal and Kenny Smith, and whether they would fit into any transition strategy by ESPN.