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Ernie Johnson Stepping Down from 'Inside the NBA' After 37 Seasons
Confirmed
In Short: Ernie Johnson, the longtime host of 'Inside the NBA,' announced Wednesday that he will step down from the show after the 2026-27 season.
Ernie Johnson, the 70-year-old host of 'Inside the NBA,' announced Wednesday that he will step down from the show after the 2026-27 season. Johnson, who has anchored the program for 37 years, cited health and family reasons for his decision, noting that he had undergone bypass surgery 14 months ago.
In a video posted to social media, Johnson said, 'It’s just time.' He added that he had long described his job as a 'get-to job,' but that the part of the job viewers never see had become more of a challenge than a joy. Johnson promised himself he would step away once that work became more of a challenge, and he has now reached that point.
Johnson's decision comes after a series of discussions and hints that he might be leaving. Last month, Charles Barkley, one of Johnson's co-hosts, also said he plans for 2026-27 to be his final season. Johnson said he will continue to host March Madness and other projects for TNT and CBS, and recently started a new production company.
Johnson, a Marist School graduate and University of Georgia alumnus, joined Turner Sports in 1989 and has hosted 'Inside the NBA' since 1990. The show, which has won 21 Sports Emmys, moved from TNT to ESPN last season after Turner Sports lost its NBA media rights.
In a statement, Johnson said, 'Going through that has made me treasure even more every second with my amazing wife of 44 years, Cheryl, and being “Poppy” to our five grandchildren.' He added, 'I just want to slow down a bit, spend more time enjoying that.'
The news of Johnson's departure marks the end of an era for the show, which has been a staple of sports television for decades. 'Inside the NBA' has been hosted by Johnson alongside former NBA stars Charles Barkley, Shaquille O’Neal, and Kenny Smith.
Johnson's decision to leave 'Inside the NBA' after 37 seasons is a significant moment in the history of the show. He has been a beloved figure in sports broadcasting, known for his kind and self-effacing demeanor.
While Johnson is stepping down from 'Inside the NBA,' he is not retiring from television. He will continue to work on other projects, including coverage of the NCAA men's basketball tournament for CBS and Turner Sports.
What this adds
The show's move from TNT to ESPN last season after Turner Sports lost its NBA media rights did not influence Johnson's decision to leave. He had already been considering his departure for some time.
Johnson's announcement comes after a series of hints and discussions, including a recent interview where he mentioned seeing the 'finish line.'
Background
Inside the NBA is a halftime and postgame studio show for selected NBA on ESPN broadcasts, having previously aired for NBA on TNT broadcasts from 1989 to 2025. The show has been hosted since 1990 by Ernie Johnson, joined on set by three analysts: Kenny Smith, Charles Barkley, and Shaquille O'Neal.
What's confirmed
- “Going through that has made me treasure even more every second with my amazing wife of 44 years, Cheryl, and being ‘Poppy’ to our five grandchildren,” Johnson said.
- “I just want to slow down a bit, spend more time enjoying that.” “Inside the NBA,” which moved from TNT to ESPN last season after Turner Sports lost its NBA media rights, has won 21 Sports Emmys.
- Barkley said last month he also plans for 2026-27 to be his final season.
- “I’ve long described it as a ‘get to job,’ still amazed that I get to do this for a living,” Johnson said in a video on X.
- Johnson said he will continue to host March Madness and other projects for TNT and CBS, and said he recently started a new production company.
- Now, the league’s best studio show will be changing forever. 37-year Inside the NBA studio host Ernie Johnson announced that he would be stepping away from the action for good after the season.
- Ernie Johnson announced on social media Wednesday that this will be his final season as the host of "Inside the NBA."
- Ernie Johnson, the kind, self-effacing host of TNT ‘s perennial Emmy-winner Inside the NBA, announced today that he will be leaving the show at the end of this season.
- Johnson, 70, said he would continue to work, including coverage of the NCAA men's basketball tournament for CBS and Turner Sports.
What's still developing
- Editor’s note: The video in this story is from an interview with Johnson after Ted Turner’s death.
- That doesn’t mean Johnson is disappearing from television.
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