Ernie Johnson, beloved host of Inside the NBA, will step down from the show at the end of the season | American sports media

Ernie Johnson, the popular host of Inside the NBA, has announced that he will step down at the end of the current season after 37 years in the role.

Johnson made the announcement on social media on Wednesday.

“This is by no means the end,” Johnson said. “This is just a page turner, and I will forever cherish every chapter we’ve written with Inside the NBA. And finally, I just want to thank you. Thank you for your loyalty, for your love, for your support and, on this day, for your understanding.”

The 70-year-old said he had bypass surgery 14 months ago and wanted to spend time with his wife and grandchildren. He faced a series of health problems during his career. In 2003, he was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma and missed duty in the 2018 MLB playoffs due to blood clots in his legs.

Johnson joined Inside the NBA in 1990 and works alongside arguably the most popular panel of analysts in American sports: former NBA stars Kenny Smith, Charles Barkley and Shaquille O’Neal. Barkley announced that he would be stepping down from the show at the end of this season.

During its run, Inside the NBA has won 19 Sports Emmys. In 2025, he left his longtime home at the Turner Networks to join ABC and ESPN.

“Ernie Johnson is one of the most respected and beloved figures in sports media,” ESPN Chairman Jimmy Pitaro said in a statement. “For more than three decades, he has been at 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 all season long.”