‘Inside the NBA’ Host Ernie Johnson Says This Is His Final Season
Developing story first seen 3 hours ago
Ernie Johnson has confirmed that the current season will be his last hosting *Inside the NBA*, bringing his 37-season run to an end. He said the decision is entirely his own and that it is time to step away, a change for the long-running programme as it continues on ESPN.
The 70-year-old said recent health issues, including heart bypass surgery in 2025, contributed to his decision, though he feels well and has not been told to reduce his workload. He wants more time with his family, including five grandchildren, and will continue covering NCAA basketball for TNT. The show has won more than 20 Sports Emmy Awards; Charles Barkley had said he expected to leave after the 2026–27 season.
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In short
- Ernie Johnson will leave *Inside the NBA* after this season.
- His 37-season tenure began in 1990.
- He plans to spend more time with family and continue NCAA coverage.
How this story developed
- 1 hour ago Ernie Johnson says this season will be his last hosting *Inside the NBA*, ending a 37-season run at the centre of the programme.
- 1 hour ago Ernie Johnson has confirmed that the current season will be his last hosting *Inside the NBA*, bringing his 37-season run to an end.
Full account
Ernie Johnson will leave Inside the NBA at the end of this season, bringing his 37-year run as host to a close. In a video announcing the decision, he said it was his choice and that the work of preparing for each programme had become more challenging than enjoyable. He described the move as a step back from the show, rather than retirement.
Johnson joined the programme in its second season, in 1990, and became the familiar centre of a panel featuring Kenny Smith, Charles Barkley and Shaquille O’Neal. The show is known for mixing basketball analysis with banter, and has earned numerous Sports Emmy Awards. Johnson has also received repeated recognition as a studio host, including an award this year.
He said health concerns had contributed to his decision. Johnson has dealt with heart problems for nearly two years and underwent bypass surgery in 2025. He said he was feeling well and had not been advised by doctors to reduce his workload, but wanted to spend more time with his family, including his five grandchildren.
The departure comes after a change in the programme’s broadcasting arrangements. TNT lost NBA rights after the 2024–25 season, and ESPN now airs Inside the NBA on selected coverage nights; TNT Sports continues to produce it. Johnson is expected to remain involved in TNT’s college basketball coverage and in his production company. TNT Sports praised his contribution and said it looked forward to working with him in a new capacity. Barkley had previously said he expected to leave after next season, while acknowledging that plan depended on Johnson’s decision.
Where outlets differ
From the full account, which is AI-written from the sources:
The first report says Johnson cited health as a contributing factor and notes that he feels well and has no medical instruction to scale back; the second gives more detail about the duration of his heart problems and his recovery after bypass surgery.
The first report focuses on the show’s history, its move from TNT to ESPN, Johnson’s family priorities and his continuing work. The second gives greater weight to the programme’s awards and cultural reputation, and discusses a previous alternate Tuesday broadcast featuring Adam Lefkoe.
The first report records Barkley’s September expectation that next season would be his last, subject to Johnson changing his mind. The second does not mention that comment and instead concentrates on Johnson’s announcement and the question of the show’s future.
Explained simply
Inside the NBA is a long-running television programme built around discussion and analysis of professional basketball in the United States. Ernie Johnson has hosted it alongside former players Charles Barkley, Shaquille O’Neal and Kenny Smith, whose conversation and humour have helped make it a familiar part of NBA coverage.
The programme has received more than 20 Sports Emmy Awards and is continuing on ESPN. Johnson has also covered college basketball for TNT, and his decision to step away from the NBA show comes after a career spanning decades in sports broadcasting.
Coverage · 2 sources
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