It’s the end of an era. After 37 years, beloved host Ernie Johnson is stepping away from “Inside the NBA” after this season, he announced on X.
It’s time.
— Ernie Johnson (@TurnerSportsEJ) October 28, 2026
🤟🤟🏾🤟🏻🤟🏽 pic.twitter.com/h1qNwsnkUY
“Few people have shaped the way fans experience the NBA as profoundly as Ernie Johnson,” NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said in a statement. “His brilliance as a broadcaster is matched by his character, compassion and generosity, which have been evident throughout his 37 years as host of ‘Inside the NBA.’ We are grateful for Ernie’s extraordinary impact on our league and look forward to celebrating him during his final season.”
In his announcement, Johnson, 70, talked about how he had heart issues and underwent bypass surgery just more than a year ago, which altered his perspective. He said he wants to spend more time with his wife and grandchildren.
Johnson added, “This is by no means the end,” saying he would keep working events such as the NCAA Tournament, among other things.
“Inside the NBA” is an iconic show for a generation of basketball fans, an honest, barbershop-style back-and-forth in front of a national audience. Johnson was with the show when it started in 1989, but it reached its peak when Kenny Smith (joined in 1998), Charles Barkley (2000) and Shaquille O’Neal (2011) joined the crew. The show moved from TNT to ESPN and ABC last season.
Barkley said before the season that he expected this one to be his last on the show.
