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Ernie Johnson Exits 'Inside the NBA' After 37 Years, Citing Health
Ernie Johnson announced Wednesday he will leave 'Inside the NBA' after the 2026-27 season following 37 years as host, citing recent bypass surgery and family priorities. Johnson, 70, will continue broadcasting work for TNT and CBS and has launched a production company; he emphasized the move is not a full retirement from the industry.
Quick Facts
- Ernie Johnson announced his departure from 'Inside the NBA'
- Johnson will step away after the 2026-27 season
- Johnson underwent bypass surgery 14 months ago
- Johnson launched production company called 32 Bow Ties
- Barkley also announced retirement from show at end of season
Related Insights
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Ernie Johnson, the longtime host of 'Inside the NBA,' announced Wednesday that he will step away from the show after the 2026-27 season, ending a 37-year tenure. The 70-year-old broadcaster said the decision was his own, citing health challenges—including bypass surgery 14 months prior—and a desire to spend more time with his wife of 44 years and five grandchildren.
Johnson joined 'Inside the NBA' in 1990, one year after the show's creation, and has become synonymous with the program's format. He has worked alongside analysts Kenny Smith (who joined in 1998), Charles Barkley (2000), and Shaquille O'Neal (2011). The show has won 19 Sports Emmy Awards during its run and moved from Turner networks to ABC and ESPN in 2025. Barkley has also announced his retirement from the show at the end of this season.
Johnson emphasized that he is not retiring from broadcasting entirely. He plans to continue working with TNT and CBS, particularly on March Madness coverage. He has also launched a production company called 32 Bow Ties, focused on telling feel-good sports stories. "This is by no means the end," Johnson said in his announcement video. "It's just a turning of the page." The broadcaster noted that his preparation routine, once a joy, had become a larger challenge, contributing to his decision to step away from the daily demands of the show.
Johnson's departure marks a significant transition for 'Inside the NBA,' which has maintained its core identity through decades of broadcasting. ESPN chairman Jimmy Pitaro called Johnson "one of sports media's most respected and beloved figures" and said ESPN looks forward to celebrating him throughout the season. The broadcaster has had a lengthy career in sports media since 1979, earning six Sports Emmy Awards and induction into the Sports Broadcasting Hall of Fame in 2023.
Why This Matters
Ernie Johnson's departure after 37 years as host of 'Inside the NBA' represents a significant personnel transition for a flagship sports media program that has maintained consistent viewership and cultural relevance across five decades of broadcasting. His exit, scheduled for the 2026-27 season, coincides with Charles Barkley's announced retirement at season's end and occurs amid the show's 2025 migration from Turner networks to ABC and ESPN—changes affecting production continuity, analyst lineup stability, and on-air chemistry that audiences have relied upon. Johnson's cited health factors (bypass surgery, preparation demands) and continued availability for selective projects may reshape the daily format's editorial voice and production schedule.
Timeline & Sources
Jan 1, 1979
WireErnie Johnson begins media career
Jan 1, 1989
WireJohnson joins Turner Sports
Oct 28, 2026
WireJohnson announces departure from Inside the NBA after 2026-27 season
Oct 28, 2026
WireJohnson announces launch of 32 Bow Ties production company
Sources
- Ernie Johnson, beloved host of Inside the NBA, to step away from show at end of seasonThe GuardianMediaOct 28, 2026
- Ernie Johnson Announces Final Season with 'Inside the NBA,' Updates Retirement Plans in VideoBleacher ReportMediaOct 28, 2026
- Why Ernie Johnson is stepping away from 'Inside the NBA' after banner runYahooMediaOct 28, 2026
- Legendary host Ernie Johnson announces he is stepping away from 'Inside the NBA' after this seasonFox NewsMediaOct 28, 2026