Basketball announcer Ernie Johnson is stepping away from “Inside the NBA” after almost 37 years behind the anchor desk.
The 70-year-old broadcaster says that the current NBA season will be his last one working alongside Shaquille O’Neal, Charles Barkley and Kenny Smith. Johnson said health is part of the reason for his departure, but above all “It’s just time” to walk away.
“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?”‘ he said Wednesday. “This will be my last season. Totally my decision. It’s just time.”
Johnson started doing NBA game and league analysis with “Inside the NBA” in 1990 when the show launched on TNT and its sister station TBS. The program moved to ESPN in 2025.
The bespectacled, bow-tie-wearing announcer typically plays the straight man while moderating discussion among his colleagues, who unlike Johnson, played in the NBA. He’s also shared the set with basketball stars Magic Johnson, Reggie Miller and Chris Webber over the years.
Johnson told fans he’s always felt that once preparing for the show became more of a challenge than a joy, he’d know it’s time to leave. That time has come. Then he added there’s one more thing informing his decision.
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“For nearly two years now, I’ve dealt with heart issues,” he says in a video announcing his departure.
Johnson had bypass surgery 14 months ago that he believes has him trending in the right direction, but he says there’s still work to be done. He plans to spend more time with his wife of 44 years and enjoy being a grandfather.
“Just to be clear, I’m not retiring, just cutting back,” he said. “I’ll still do March Madness and other projects for TNT and CBS.”
Johnson thanked his colleagues and viewers for their continued support and looked forward to Wednesday night’s broadcast.