Ernie Johnson, the longtime host of “Inside the NBA,” announced Wednesday on X that this coming season will be his last with the show. The 70-year-old broadcaster said the decision, which follows a bypass surgery 14 months ago, is entirely his own.
“I’ve been hosting ‘Inside the NBA’ for a long time. This is my 37th year, and I’ve long described it as a get-to job. Still amazed that I get to do this for a living,” Johnson said in the video. “Now, 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.”
Johnson joined “Inside the NBA” in 1990, a year after the show launched, and has worked alongside Kenny Smith since 1998, Charles Barkley since 2000, and Shaquille O’Neal since 2011. Barkley announced last month that this season would be his last as well.
Johnson was clear that he is not leaving broadcasting altogether, only this particular program. He recently started a production company, 32 Bow Ties, and said he intends to keep working on March Madness coverage and other projects for TNT and CBS.
“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,” Johnson said. “And now after 37 seasons, it’s time.”
Johnson said his health scare sharpened his sense of what matters most.
“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, spend more time I’m enjoying that.”
He described his new venture as a continuation rather than a conclusion.
“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’ll forever cherish every chapter we have written with inside the NBA.”
Johnson closed his announcement with thanks to viewers. “Thanks for your loyalty, for your love, for your support, and on this day for your understanding. We’ll see you on TV tonight,” he said.
