Ernie Johnson to Exit Inside the NBA After Final Season at Age 70

Ernie Johnson is calling it a day as the main host of “Inside the NBA,” ending a historic 37-year run behind the desk. According to the New York Post ^[1], the sportscaster announced Wednesday that he will host the show for the final time during the 2026-27 season, sitting alongside Charles Barkley, Kenny Smith, and Shaquille O’Neal for one last run. The decision, which Johnson described as entirely his own, comes after he revealed he has dealt with heart issues over the past two years, including bypass surgery 14 months ago.

The ESPN reported ^[2] that Johnson, 70, emphasized he is not retiring from broadcasting but rather “cutting back.” He will continue to work with CBS and Turner Sports, particularly during the NCAA men’s basketball tournament, and has launched a new production company called 32 Bowties. In a video posted to social media, Johnson stated, “Still trying to get this thing to beat in exactly the way it should,” noting that while his doctor did not demand he stop working, the health scare made him treasure time with his wife of 44 years and five grandchildren.

The Independent noted ^[3] that Johnson’s exit marks the end of an era for the show, which moved from TNT to ESPN and ABC last season. The program has won more than 20 Sports Emmy Awards during his tenure. ESPN chairman Jimmy Pitaro praised Johnson as “one of sports media’s most respected and beloved figures,” calling him the heart of the show for over three decades. Johnson acknowledged that the preparation hours had become “more of challenge than it is a joy,” signaling the right time to step away.

Charles Barkley has previously indicated that the 2026-27 season will also be his last, though he has reversed similar decisions in the past. The next episode of “Inside the NBA” is scheduled for Wednesday, featuring matchups involving the Indiana Pacers and Philadelphia 76ers. Johnson reflected on his career with gratitude, stating, “It’s been an honor to share so many nights, decades actually at the desk with my brothers.” He concluded that while this is a turning of the page, it is by no means the end of his involvement in sports media.