Ernie Johnson Jr. to exit 'Inside the NBA' after 37 seasons

ATLANTA, Ga. Ernie Johnson Jr. will retire as host of 'Inside the NBA' at the end of this season, ending a 37-year run with the studio program. Johnson, 70, announced the decision Wednesday in a video posted to X, saying it was 'totally my decision.'

'As the years have gone by, and I turned 70 this past summer, folks have asked me: "So how long are you going to keep doing Inside?" .. This will be my last season. It's just time,' Johnson said.

Johnson pointed to his health and family. He said he underwent bypass surgery 14 months ago. 'Going through that has made me treasure even more every second with my amazing wife of 44 years, Cheryl, and being 'Poppy' to our five grandchildren,' Johnson said. 'I just want to slow down a bit, spend more time enjoying that.'

Johnson will continue to host March Madness and other projects for TNT and CBS, and said he recently started a new production company. He has won six Sports Emmys. The show itself has won 21.

Johnson has hosted 'Inside the NBA' alongside former NBA players Charles Barkley, Shaquille O'Neal and Kenny Smith. Barkley said last month that 2026-27 will also be his final season.

Johnson is the son of former Atlanta Braves pitcher and broadcaster Ernie Johnson Sr. He graduated from Marist School and the University of Georgia. He and his father called Braves games together for SportSouth from 1993 to 1996.