Ernie Johnson announces this will be the final year he hosts 'Inside the NBA'

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Ernie Johnson has announced that he will step down as host of "Inside the NBA" after the 2026-2027 NBA season.

Johnson, 70, said the decision came down to the fact that he used to pride himself on the preparation he put into the show, but if that prep work ever felt like a challenge instead of a joy, he would know he needed to step away.

"After 37 seasons, it's time."

The "Inside the NBA" host also said that he has been dealing with heart issues for the last two years. Johnson mentioned he had bypass surgery 14 months ago, and he is still "trying to get this thing to beat exactly the way it should."

Johnson says he feels great, but that going through the bypass process has made him cherish the time with his wife and family even more.

"I just want to slow down a bit, spend more time enjoying that. This is by no means the end; it's just a turning of the page."

The host does specify, "Just to be clear, I'm not retiring, just cutting back. I'll still do other projects for March Madness and TNT and CBS."

Johnson mentioned that he recently started a new production company called "32 Bowties," which he hopes will let him tell feel-good sports stories.

"Inside the NBA" began in 1989, and Johnson joined as the full-time host the following year. He has headlined the show since 1990 and stayed with it even as it switched from a TNT product to ESPN last year.

Last month, "Inside the NBA" analyst Charles Barkley appeared on an episode of "The Bill Simmons Podcast" and said he and Johnson had agreed to stay on the show for two years. That would have been last season and then this 2026-2027 season.

"Me and Ernie are a package deal," Barkley said. "Ernie said to me, 'Chuck, would you please stay for two more years?' I said, 'I love you, man. You're the best. I'll stay for two more years.' So right now, unless Ernie changes his mind, next year is my last year, 100 percent. … If he says he's done, I'm gone."

If that is still the case for Barkley, this will not only be Johnson's last season, but Barkley's as well.

Shaquille O'Neal and Kenny Smith will join the duo for their scheduled Wednesday night doubleheader program.