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Ernie Johnson to leave 'Inside the NBA' after the 2026-27 season

Ernie Johnson, 70, said in a video on Wednesday that this, his 37th season, will be his last hosting 'Inside the NBA'. He will keep working on TNT's college basketball coverage and other projects.

4 outlets · 1L · 2C · 1R First reported Account updated

Updated (version 2). New coverage since the last version from Deadline, IJR.

Image: Newsweek
Image: The Hollywood Reporter
Image: IJR
Image: Deadline

1 / 4

The story, neutrally told

Mixed · 2Ernie Johnson announced on Wednesday 28 October that his current season, his 37th, will be his last as host of 'Inside the NBA'. Mixed · 2In the video, Johnson called it a 'get to' job and said the decision was 'totally my decision. It's just time.' Centre · 1He said he has always prided himself on his preparation and had vowed to step away if that became more of a challenge than a joy.

Mixed · 2Johnson, who turned 70 this past summer, also cited recent health issues as a 'contributing factor'. Left · 1The Hollywood Reporter adds that he had heart bypass surgery in 2025, says he feels 'great' and is not under doctor's orders to scale back, and wants more time with his family, including five grandchildren. Mixed · 2Deadline and IJR put the bypass surgery at 14 months before the announcement, and Johnson said in the video he has dealt with heart issues for nearly two years and is 'still trying to get this thing to beat exactly the way it should — and we're getting there.'

Left · 1Johnson became host in the show's second season, in 1990, working with analysts Kenny Smith (since 1998), Charles Barkley (since 2000) and Shaquille O'Neal (since 2011). Left · 1Charles Barkley said in September, on The Bill Simmons Podcast, that he planned to retire alongside Johnson after the 2026-27 season: 'unless Ernie changes his mind, next year is my last year for 100%'. Right · 1IJR also reports that Barkley has said he expects 2026-27 to be his final season on the program.

Left · 1TNT lost its NBA rights after 2024-25; ESPN now airs the show on select nights on ESPN and ABC, while TNT Sports still produces it and licenses it to ESPN. Mixed · 2Johnson is not fully retiring: he will continue with March Madness coverage and other projects for TNT, and has a production company, 32 Bow Ties. Centre · 1Johnson said, 'Just to be clear, I'm not retiring. Just cutting back… So this is by no means the end. It's just a turning of the page.'

Centre · 1Deadline notes Johnson has won the Sports Emmy for Outstanding Personality/Studio Host eight times, including the past two years, and that the show has won Outstanding Studio Show – Daily six times; it says his co-hosts call him 'The Godfather'. Left · 1TNT Sports called him 'the heart and soul of TNT Sports' and said it looks forward to partnering with him on his next chapter.

Every sentence links to the reporting it rests on. The pill in front of each says where its sources sit: Left, Centre or Right when one side supplies at least half of them, Mixed when they are evenly split. The number is how many outlets it cites.

Left1 outlet

Framing
The Hollywood Reporter treats it as an industry story, with context on the show's TNT-to-ESPN move, Emmys, Barkley's earlier remarks and a TNT statement.
Emphasis
Show history, Barkley's plan to retire too, the rights shift, Johnson's 2025 heart surgery.
For example
“TNT Sports continues to produce the show and licenses it to ESPN.” — The Hollywood Reporter

Centre2 outlets

Framing
Newsweek gives a short tribute-style report built on Johnson's video; Deadline adds a warm profile of 'The Godfather' with Emmy history.
Emphasis
Johnson's own words, his continuing work, and Deadline's Emmy record and the show's reputation.
Leaves out or plays down
Newsweek leaves out Barkley's remarks, the ESPN arrangement, the surgery and TNT's statement; Deadline leaves out the ESPN arrangement and Barkley's plans.
Charged language
“Legendary NBA Broadcaster”“The Godfather”“gold standard”
For example
“the kind, self-effacing host of TNT‘s perennial Emmy-winner Inside the NBA” — Deadline
“Legendary NBA Broadcaster Ernie Johnson Announces Major Career Decision” — Newsweek

Right1 outlet

Framing
IJR runs a brief news item on the announcement, with the reason (family and health), the post-show plans and the ESPN/ABC move in a few lines.
Emphasis
Family time, bypass surgery 14 months ago, Johnson not retiring, Barkley's expected exit.
Leaves out or plays down
No Johnson quotes, no Emmy or show history, and no TNT statement.
For example
“Johnson, 70, said the decision is his own and reflects a desire to spend more time with his wife and grandchildren” — IJR

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