Ernie Johnson will step away from hosting Inside the NBA after the 2026-27 season, ending a 37-year run as the face of the acclaimed basketball studio show. Johnson announced his decision in a video posted Wednesday, October 28, stressing that the move was his choice and that he would continue working on other sports projects.
“This will be my last season. Totally my decision. It’s just time,” Johnson said.
The 70-year-old host explained that the demands of preparing for each broadcast played a central role in his decision. Johnson said he has always viewed the job as a privilege, describing it as a “get to” job, but had established a personal standard for knowing when to leave.
“I’ve always prided myself on my preparation, the hours I put in every day getting ready for the next show,” Johnson said. “But I’ve always vowed that if that ever became more of a challenge than it is a joy, then I’ll know it’s time to step away. And now after 37 seasons, it’s time.”
Johnson also revealed that ongoing heart issues contributed to his decision. He said he had dealt with heart problems for nearly two years and underwent bypass surgery 14 months ago. Although he said he feels great and emphasized that his doctor had not told him to stop working, the experience changed his priorities.
“Going through that has made me treasure even more every second with my amazing wife of 44 years, Cheryl Ann, and being poppy to our five grandchildren,” Johnson said. “So I just want to slow down a bit, spend more time enjoying that.”
Johnson made clear that leaving Inside the NBA does not mean ending his broadcasting career. He plans to continue covering March Madness and take on other projects for TNT and CBS, while also developing a new production company focused on uplifting sports stories.
“Just to be clear, I’m not retiring, just cutting back,” he said. “I’ll still do March Madness and other projects for TNT and CBS.”
He has also launched 32 Bowties, a production company he said is geared toward telling “feel-good stories in sports.” Johnson described the decision as a transition rather than a farewell to broadcasting.
Johnson has hosted Inside the NBA alongside Charles Barkley, Kenny Smith and Shaquille O’Neal for decades. The show moved from TNT to ESPN and ABC in 2025, with TNT Sports continuing to produce it. ESPN’s 2026-27 schedule includes the familiar crew across regular-season broadcasts, with the season scheduled to run through April 11, 2027.
“It’s been an honor to share so many nights, decades actually, at the desk with my brothers, Kenny, Charles, and Shaq,” Johnson said, also thanking the production crews and the leadership at TNT and ESPN for keeping the program together.
He closed his announcement by thanking viewers for their support and understanding, adding that he would continue to cherish the years spent on the show.
