Entertainment · October 28, 2026

Ernie Johnson Says 2026–27 Is His Final 'Inside the NBA' Season, but He Is Not Retiring

The veteran broadcaster says he is stepping away from the signature studio show after 37 seasons while continuing other television projects.

By NewsTrendus Editorial Desk · October 28, 2026 · Independently written from credited sources · Representative editorial photograph

Representative licensed photograph of professional broadcasting equipment; not Ernie Johnson, Inside the NBA or the October 28, 2026 announcement

Representative licensed photograph, not the reported event, product or person. Photo: Jakub Zerdzicki / Pexels (Pexels free-use license).

At a glance: Ernie Johnson says the 2026–27 season will be his last hosting Inside the NBA after 37 seasons. He plans to continue March Madness and other TV work.

October 28, 2026 — Ernie Johnson announced that the 2026–27 NBA season will be his last as host of Inside the NBA, ending a 37-season run at the desk. The broadcaster stressed an important distinction: he is leaving that show after the season, not retiring from television altogether.

What did Ernie Johnson announce about Inside the NBA?

Johnson, 70, shared the decision in a video posted Wednesday, October 28. He said the choice was his and explained that the demanding preparation required for the program had long been a source of joy. After decades in the role, he said he felt it was time to step away.

The 2026–27 season is his final season as host; the announcement did not say he was leaving immediately. The show remains scheduled to continue during the current season, giving colleagues and viewers an opportunity to mark his tenure.

Is Ernie Johnson retiring from sports television?

No. Johnson specifically said he would continue working on the NCAA men's basketball tournament and other projects associated with TNT and CBS. He also announced a production company called 32 Bowties, which he described as a vehicle for uplifting storytelling.

That means headlines saying he is retiring from all broadcasting overstate his announcement. The verified change is his decision to stop hosting Inside the NBA after this season; the scope and timing of his other future projects may develop.

Why did Johnson decide to leave the show?

In his public message, Johnson discussed recent health challenges and the value he places on spending time with family. He has spoken about undergoing bypass surgery and wanting to slow down. Those are reasons he chose to share himself; they should not be expanded into speculation about his medical condition or ability to work.

He also framed the choice in professional terms, explaining that the daily preparation he had always enjoyed was becoming more demanding. It was not presented as a dismissal or a network-ordered departure.

How long has Ernie Johnson hosted Inside the NBA?

Johnson joined Turner Sports in 1989 and became the show's full-time host in 1990. His work alongside Kenny Smith, Charles Barkley and Shaquille O'Neal helped make the program a defining part of NBA studio coverage. The panel combined basketball analysis, humor and personal conversations in a format that became widely influential.

The program moved into ESPN and ABC's NBA coverage arrangement after its long association with TNT. Johnson's decision therefore arrives during an era of transition for the show's distribution as well as its on-air team.

What happens to the rest of the Inside the NBA cast?

Johnson's announcement did not name a successor. Charles Barkley has previously discussed the possibility that the current season could also be his last, but Johnson's decision does not itself confirm departures for every other panelist. Any permanent replacement, format change or future contract will require an announcement from the people or networks involved.

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver praised Johnson's impact on how fans experience the league, according to NBA.com's account. Independent coverage from NBC Sports and CBS Sports also confirms the essential distinction between leaving the show and retiring from broadcasting.

When will fans see Johnson's final Inside the NBA season?

The 2026–27 NBA season is underway, and Johnson said he intends to continue through it. Viewers looking for exact broadcast dates should consult current ESPN and NBA listings; the October 28 announcement was not a complete episode-by-episode farewell schedule.

His departure marks the close of a major chapter in basketball television, but his own statement makes clear that it is not the end of his career in media.

Sources and verification

NewsTrendus independently wrote this report using the dated, attributable sources below. The representative photograph does not depict the reported event or the exact subject. Reporting reflects information available October 28, 2026.

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