Ernie Johnson is leaving “Inside the NBA” after 37 seasons. “It’s just time.”
The host said in a video on Wednesday, Oct. 28, that the 2026-27 season will be his last at the studio desk. He is staying in TV, NBA.com reports.
Key Takeaways
- Johnson said the 2026-27 NBA season will be his last as host of “Inside the NBA.” “Totally my decision,” he said.
- He has hosted the show for 37 seasons with Kenny Smith, Charles Barkley and Shaquille O’Neal.
- He will still work NCAA March Madness and other TNT and CBS projects, NBA.com reports.
Ernie Johnson will step away from “Inside the NBA” after this season, his 37th as host of the studio show. He shared the news in a video posted on social media on Wednesday, Oct. 28.
“This will be my last season,” Johnson said. “Totally my decision. It’s just time.”
In his words. He said he has always prided himself on his preparation. “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,” he said in the video, according to NBA.com. He also thanked his “brothers, Kenny, Charles, and Shaq.”
Why now. Johnson cited health issues and a wish to spend more time with his family as other reasons, NBA.com reported.
Not leaving TV. He will still appear on NCAA March Madness and other TNT and CBS projects, according to NBA.com. He is also starting a production company, 32 Bowties, to tell “feel-good stories in sports.” “This is by no means the end,” he said. “It’s just a turning of the page.” He closed by thanking viewers “for your loyalty, for your love, for your support. And on this day, for your understanding.”
The run. Johnson joined TBS in 1989 and became the full-time host of “Inside the NBA” in 1990, NBA.com reported. He has won six Emmy Awards. NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said in a statement that “few people have shaped the way fans experience the NBA as profoundly as Ernie Johnson.”
Also on the Oct. 30 desk. Binance co-founder Yi He said the exchange can absorb a $6.3 billion hack without selling its SpaceX stake, Reuters reported; Binance said it set aside $6.34 billion to cover users, and about $3 billion of the stolen assets was frozen as of Oct. 30. Apple CEO John Ternus showed a MacBook Pro with a touchscreen on Oct. 28, CNBC reported. Zuhair Murad’s couture house made a 20-piece line with ALDO, Fashion Times reported. And New York City Center revived Lin-Manuel Miranda’s “In the Heights,” with 10,000 seats at $28 or less, according to City Center.
Figures in the Binance item come from the company and may change.
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Sources
- NBA.com, “Ernie Johnson announces 2026-27 will be his final season on ‘Inside the NBA’”, updated Oct. 29, 2026. Link
- Ernie Johnson (@TurnerSportsEJ), video post on X, Oct. 28, 2026.
- NBC News, Ernie Johnson final season report, Oct. 29, 2026. Link
- ESPN, Ernie Johnson “Inside the NBA” report, Oct. 28, 2026. Link
- Reuters (via WTVB), “Binance does not need to sell SpaceX shares to cover losses, co-founder says”, Oct. 30, 2026. Link
- Binance, security incident update, Oct. 30, 2026. Link
- CNBC, Apple Mac touchscreen launch, Oct. 28, 2026. Link
- Fashion Times, Zuhair Murad × ALDO collection, Oct. 29, 2026. Link
- New York City Center, “In the Heights” tickets: 10,000 seats at $28 or less. Link
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