Ernie Johnson to leave 'Inside the NBA' after 37 seasons, citing health and family

Ernie Johnson, the anchor of 'Inside the NBA' for nearly four decades, announced Wednesday that this season will be his last on the show — a decision he said was entirely his own, driven by bypass surgery 14 months ago, five grandchildren, and a personal vow never to stay past the point where preparation feels like a burden rather than a pleasure.

I've always vowed that if that ever became more of a challenge than it is a joy, then I'll know it's time to step away. And now after 37 seasons, it's time.— Ernie Johnson, Host, Inside the NBA

Johnson, 70, made the announcement in a nearly three-minute video posted to social media. He joined 'Inside the NBA' in 1990 — one year after the show's 1989 debut — and has hosted alongside Charles Barkley, Kenny Smith, and Shaquille O'Neal, a panel widely regarded as among the most popular in American sports.

This isn't a case where my doctor said, 'You need to stop working.' It's nothing like that. But here's the deal. Going through that has made me treasure even more every second with my amazing wife of 44 years, Cheryl, and being Poppy to our five grandchildren. So, I just want to slow down a bit.— Ernie Johnson, Host, Inside the NBA

Johnson was careful to draw a line between leaving the show and leaving broadcasting altogether. He said he will continue covering NCAA March Madness for TNT and CBS, pursue other projects, and has already launched a production company called 32 Bowties, focused on what he described as feel-good stories in sports.

Just to be clear, I'm not retiring. Just cutting back.— Ernie Johnson, Host, Inside the NBA

Johnson's exit will leave 'Inside the NBA' without two of its defining voices in the same season. Charles Barkley announced last month that this would also be his final year — a decision he said is directly tied to Johnson's. According to CBS Sports, Barkley had agreed to stay two additional seasons at Johnson's personal request, but said he would leave when Johnson does.

Me and Ernie are a package deal. Ernie said to me, 'Chuck, would you please stay for two more years?' I said, 'I love you, man. You're the best. I'll stay for two more years.' So right now, unless Ernie changes his mind, next year is my last year, 100 percent. … If he says he's done, I'm gone.— Charles Barkley, Analyst, Inside the NBA

The show moved from its longtime home on Turner networks to ABC and ESPN in 2025, and has won 19 Sports Emmys over its run. ESPN chairman Jimmy Pitaro responded to the announcement with a statement praising Johnson's role in building the program.

Ernie Johnson is one of sports media's most respected and beloved figures. 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.— Jimmy Pitaro, Chairman, ESPN

Johnson's career has included several serious health challenges. He was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma in 2003 and missed presenting duties during the 2018 MLB playoffs due to blood clots in his legs, according to The Guardian. His most recent health event — the bypass surgery — was not publicly disclosed until Wednesday's announcement.

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. And lastly, I just want to say thanks to you. Thanks for your loyalty, for your love, for your support, and on this day, for your understanding.— Ernie Johnson, Host, Inside the NBA

With both Johnson and Barkley departing at the end of this season, ESPN faces the question of what 'Inside the NBA' looks like going forward. According to Yahoo Sports, the network has an opportunity to build something new rather than attempt to replicate what the current cast created.

Why it matters — Johnson's departure, alongside Barkley's simultaneous exit, ends the original era of 'Inside the NBA' and leaves ESPN to reinvent one of sports television's most successful studio franchises from scratch.

Reported by theguardian.com, sports.yahoo.com, foxnews.com, cbssports.com, www-ng.nba.com, usatoday.com