Legendary host Ernie Johnson has revealed he is stepping away from his role on ‘Inside the NBA’ at the end of the season.
Johnson, 70, has just started his 37th season anchoring the hit show alongside Shaquille O’Neal, Charles Barkley and Kenny Smith.
After over three decades on TNT Sports, Johnson and co. moved over to ESPN/ABC at the start of last year, a season culminating in a historic New York Knicks Championship.
Johnson will now spend one last year leading the studio show before spending more time with his wife and grandchildren – though he insists he is not retiring and will still appear during March Madness and sporadically on other shows.
And in an emotional farewell video posted on social media, he revealed he faced a secret health battle after undergoing a heart bypass last offseason.
Johnson previously battled non-Hodgkin lymphoma in the early 2000s, continuing work until he started undergoing treatment in 2006 and remaining on Inside the NBA while facing chemotherapy.
Ernie Johnson is stepping away from his role as ‘Inside the NBA’ host at the end of the season
Johnson is in his 37th and final year presenting the hit show, which moved from TNT last year
It’s time. �������������� https://t.co/h1qNwsnkUY
— Ernie Johnson (@TurnerSportsEJ) October 28, 2026
‘Hey everybody, Ernie Johnson here,’ his video began. ‘You know I’ve been hosting Inside the NBA for a long time.
‘This is my 37th year. And I have long described it as a ‘get to’ job. I’m still amazed that I get to do this for a living.
‘As the years have gone by and I turned 70 this past summer, folks have asked me, ‘so how long are you going to keep doing Inside?’. Well I want to take a couple of minutes of your time to answer that.
‘This will be my last season. Totally my decision. It’s just time.
‘It’s been an honor to share so many nights, decades, actually, at the desk with my brothers, Kenny, Charles and Shaq, and our production crews who are so talented and devoted.
‘And I so appreciate the leadership at TNT and ESPN for allowing the show to continue. So why now?
‘Total honesty here. I’ve always prided myself on my preparation. The hours I put in every day getting ready for the next show. I’ve always loved that part of my job.
‘But 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.’
Johnson has been a huge hit alongside Shaquille O’Neal, Kenny Smith and Charles Barkley
Johnson, pictured with Taylor Swift during last year’s playoffs, revealed his secret health battle
‘And there’s something else. And I’ll just call it a contributing factor. For nearly two years now I’ve dealt with heart issues.
‘Had bypass surgery 14 months ago. Still trying to get this thing to beat exactly the way it should, and we’re getting there, I’m feeling great. So 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 Ann, and being Popi to our five grandchildren.
‘I just want to slow down a bit. Spend more time enjoying that. And just to be clear, I’m not retiring, just cutting back.
‘I’ll still do March Madness and other projects for TNT and CBS. I’ve just started a new production company called 32 Bow Ties geared toward telling feel-good stories in sports.
‘So this is by no means the end, it’s just a turning of the page, and I will forever cherish every chapter we have written at Inside the NBA.
‘And lastly I just want to say thanks to you. Thanks for your loyalty, your love and for your support. And on this day, for your understanding. I’ll see you on TV.’
