Ernie Johnson Announces Final Season Hosting ‘Inside the NBA’ After 37 Years

Ernie Johnson announced Wednesday that the 2026-27 season will be his last as host of Inside the NBA, bringing an end to one of the longest and most influential runs in basketball television. Johnson, 70, has hosted the iconic studio show for 37 seasons and said the decision was entirely his own. He emphasized that he is not retiring from broadcasting and plans to continue working on NCAA March Madness coverage and other TNT and CBS projects.

Johnson said the demands of preparing for the show have become more challenging and that recent heart issues, including bypass surgery 14 months ago, changed his perspective on how he wants to spend his time. He also wants more time with his wife, children and five grandchildren. Johnson recently launched a production company, 32 Bowties, focused on telling positive sports stories.

The announcement creates an even bigger question about the future of Inside the NBA. Charles Barkley has previously said he and Johnson were a “package deal” and indicated this could also be his final season. Whatever comes next, Johnson’s departure will close a defining chapter for a show that changed the way NBA studio coverage could mix analysis, humor and personality.