Ernie Johnson Says He Will Step Away as 'Inside the NBA' Host After This Season

Ernie Johnson, the Sports Broadcasting Hall of Famer who has anchored "Inside the NBA" for decades, said he will leave his role as host once the current season ends. He shared the news in a social media video posted Wednesday, describing the move as his own choice and saying "it's just time."

Johnson, who is 70, was careful to say he is not leaving the business altogether. He plans to keep working, including on coverage of the NCAA men's basketball tournament for CBS and Turner Sports. "Just to be clear, I'm not retiring," he said. "Just cutting back.. So this is by no means the end. It's just a turning of the page. And I'll forever cherish every chapter we have written with 'Inside the NBA.'"

He also addressed his health, acknowledging that he has dealt with heart issues in recent years. Johnson said he is doing well, but that those problems made clear to him how much time with family matters. "I just want to slow down a bit," he said.

ESPN chairman Jimmy Pitaro paid tribute in a statement. "Ernie Johnson is one of sports media's most respected and beloved figures," Pitaro said. "For more than three decades, he has been the heart of 'Inside the NBA,' helping create one of the most iconic and entertaining studio shows in sports. We are grateful for Ernie's extraordinary contributions and look forward to celebrating him throughout the season."

Johnson joined Turner Sports in 1989 and took over as host of "Inside the NBA" a year later. The program is currently built around Johnson and analysts Charles Barkley, Kenny Smith and Shaquille O'Neal, and over the years it has collected more than 20 Sports Emmy Awards. Starting last season, the show moved from TNT Sports to ESPN and ABC.

Johnson is not the only member of the group who has talked about leaving. Barkley, a member of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, has said before that this would be his final season on the show. He has, however, changed his mind and come back to the desk in earlier years.

The third edition of "Inside the NBA" on ESPN is set for Wednesday, with the Indiana Pacers hosting the Philadelphia 76ers at 7 p.m. ET and the Oklahoma City Thunder visiting the Dallas Mavericks. The show is scheduled for 25 regular-season appearances in 2026-27, followed by coverage of the playoffs through the NBA Finals.