Ernie Johnson to Step Away From Inside the NBA After 37 Years

The heart of Inside the NBA is turning the page. Ernie Johnson, the beloved host who has anchored the show for 37 years, announced on Wednesday that he will step away at the end of the current season. The 70-year-old says it is time to spend more time with his family.

A Heartfelt Goodbye From a Studio Icon

Johnson shared the news on social media, and his message was classic Ernie: warm, grateful and full of perspective. He made clear this is a transition, not a farewell to the game he has loved.

“This is by no means the end,” Johnson said. “It’s just a turning of the page, and I’ll forever cherish every chapter we have written with Inside the NBA.”

He then turned to the fans who have followed him for decades. “Thanks for your loyalty, for your love, for your support, and on this day, for your understanding,” he added.

Family Comes First

Johnson said he underwent bypass surgery 14 months ago. He now wants to spend his time with his wife and grandchildren.

It is a choice that fits a man who has long been admired as much for his character as for his broadcasting. After 37 years in the chair, the decision lands as both emotional and understandable.

A Career Shaped by Resilience

Johnson’s health has been tested before. In 2003, he was diagnosed with non-Hodgkins lymphoma. In 2018, blood clots in his legs forced him to miss presenting duties during the MLB playoffs.

Each time, he returned to the desk to the same warm reception. That resilience is a big reason viewers have connected with him so deeply.

The Man Who Made the Panel Work

Johnson joined Inside the NBA in 1990. He works alongside Kenny Smith, Charles Barkley and Shaquille O’Neal, arguably the most popular panel of analysts in US sports.

His role has always been to steer the chaos, set up the jokes and keep the show moving. The banter belongs to the analysts, but Johnson is the one who makes it land.

The End of an Era for Inside the NBA

The timing adds weight to the news. Barkley has said he will retire from the show at the end of this season, too. Two of the show’s central figures will leave together.

The show has won 19 Sports Emmys during its run. In 2025, it moved from its longtime home on Turner networks to ABC and ESPN.

ESPN Pays Tribute

ESPN chairman Jimmy Pitaro praised Johnson in a statement. “Ernie Johnson is one of sports media’s most respected and beloved figures,” he 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.”

Pitaro added that the network is grateful for Johnson’s contributions. It plans to celebrate him throughout the season.

Ernie Johnson by the Numbers

What Comes Next

For now, the focus shifts to the final season. Fans will get one last run with Johnson, Smith, Barkley and O’Neal sharing the desk. Expect plenty of tributes, laughs and emotional moments along the way.

Johnson says this is not the end, and few would bet against him staying in the sports conversation. What is certain is that the chair he leaves behind will be one of the hardest in sports television to fill.

When the final broadcast arrives, it will mark the close of a remarkable chapter. For millions of viewers, Ernie Johnson has been the friendly voice who made late-night basketball feel like home.