Updated October 28, 2026, 6:05 p.m. ET
More massive changes are coming to the iconic flagship show “Inside the NBA.”
Longtime host Ernie Johnson announced Wednesday, Oct. 28, in a video message posted to his social media channel that the 2026-27 season, which began last week, will be his last with the show.
“You know I’ve been hosting ‘Inside the NBA’ for a long time – this is my 37th year.” » Johnson said. “I’ve long described it as a way to get work done, but I’m still amazed that I can do this for a living. Over the years, and I turned 70 last summer, people have asked me, ‘So how long are you going to keep doing Inside?'” Well, I want to take a few minutes of your time to answer that.
“This will be my last season. It’s completely my decision. It’s just time.”
Johnson said he was not retiring from broadcasting, “just cutting back.” He said he would continue to host March Madness and other projects with TNT and CBS. Johnson also said he had just started a new production company.
Ernie Johnson leaves ‘Inside the NBA’
“So this is by no means the end,” Johnson said. “It’s just a page turner. And I will forever cherish every chapter we wrote in ‘Inside the NBA’.”
Johnson is a six-time Sports Emmy Award winner and hosted the show, which also features former NBA stars Shaquille O’Neal, Charles Barkley and Kenny Smith.
“So why now? Full honesty here: I’ve always prided myself on my preparation, the hours I put in every day, to get ready for the next show,” Johnson said. “I’ve always loved this part of my job. But I always swore that if it ever became more of a challenge than a joy, I would know it was time to walk away. And now, after 37 seasons, it’s time.”
Johnson also cited his health and family as additional reasons for his decision.
“And there’s something else, and I’ll just say it’s a contributing factor,” he continued. “For almost two years I’ve had to deal with difficult issues and had bypass surgery 14 months ago. I’m still trying to get my heart beating exactly the way it should, and we’re getting there. I feel great, so it’s not a case where my doctor said, ‘You need to stop working.’ It’s none of that. But here’s the deal. Experiencing this has allowed me to cherish every second more with my wonderful wife of 44 years, Cheryl Ann, and to be ‘poppy’ to our five grandchildren, so I just want to slow down a little, spend more time enjoying that.”
The show was moved last season from TNT to ESPN after Turner Sports’ media rights deal with the NBA expired. It has won 21 Sports Emmys since its launch.
“It has been an honor to share so many nights – decades in fact – at the office with my brothers, Kenny, Charles and Shaq and with our production teams who are so talented and dedicated. And I am so appreciative of the leadership of TNT and ESPN for allowing the series to continue.”
What does this mean for Charles Barkley, Shaquille O’Neal and Kenny Smith?
At this point, it’s unclear. The show will air its final episode Wednesday night, so more details could be revealed at that time, but there has been no definitive statement on the future of Barkley, O’Neal or Smith.
Barkley, however, said recently, when discussing the show’s transition to ESPN, that he and Johnson were a “package deal,” which could also lead to the end of Barkley’s tenure with the show.
“Me and Ernie are a package deal,” Barkley said in an episode of “The Bill Simmons Podcast” released in September. “So, to answer your question, Ernie said to me, ‘Chuck, could you please stay for two more years?’ I said, ‘I love you, man, you’re the best.’ I said, “I’m going to stay for two more years.” So for now, unless Ernie changes his mind, next year will be my last year, 100%. …
“I hope the show continues on ESPN, but if Ernie retires, I’m done. We’re in a package. I have so much love and respect for the guy. If he says he’s done, I’m gone.”
Barkley has been with the series since October 2000.
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