Ernie Johnson’s Decision to Retire Sparks Emotional Tributes From ‘Inside the NBA’ Costars

An era in sports broadcasting is officially coming to an end.

Ernie Johnson announced on Wednesday, October 28, that the current 2026-27 campaign will be his final season hosting Inside the NBA. The beloved broadcaster shared the news in a video on social media the morning before addressing viewers at the top of Wednesday night’s broadcast.

“I turned 70 this past summer, folks have asked me, ‘So how long you gonna keep on doing “Inside?”‘ and the short answer is this will be my last season,” Johnson told viewers, adding that the decision was entirely his own.

The veteran host also touched on ongoing health and heart considerations while reflecting on his 37-year tenure leading the show.

Johnson—whose career includes following in the footsteps of his father, former MLB pitcher and broadcaster Ernie Johnson Sr., and graduating summa cum laude with a journalism degree from the University of Georgia in 1978—reflected on his run.  Johnson started with Inside the NBA in 1990 and spent the next few decades steering the program, while also earning multiple Sports Emmy Awards covering everything from MLB and the PGA Championship to the NCAA tournament.

Once the monologue ended, the segment shifted to the desk as co-hosts Charles Barkley, Kenny Smith, and Shaquille O’Neal shared memories. Barkley, fighting back tears, called Johnson the group’s “unquestionable leader” and recited a parable about gratitude.

The Inside The NBA crew reacts to Ernie Johnson announcing this will be his last season on the show ❤️ https://t.co/kLF2foSLgl

— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) October 28, 2026

“The question I’m asked the most is, ‘Is Ernie Johnson as good a person as he seems?’ And I say, ‘Man, he’s better than that,'” Barkley said.

Smith, who has spent nearly three decades next to Johnson, credited the host’s leadership for building a team culture that earned dozens of Emmy Awards. O’Neal followed with high praise, admitting he only joined the show because Johnson was at the helm, referring to him as the anchor of TV’s “best circus.”

“You are the controller of this thing people call a circus,” O’Neal said. “It’s the best circus in town, but without you, it’s going to be very, very difficult.”

 

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Johnson, who appeared visibly moved by the tributes, which included surprise video messages from celebrities like Ben Stiller and Chuck D, reflected on his bond with his co-hosts, calling them the closest thing he’s ever had to brothers.

Across social media, basketball fans also expressed their appreciation for the longtime commentator. “There will be no insider the nba without ernie johnson,” one user commented under his announcement video, while another wrote, “Dang man. What a career! Him and Stuart Scott are the two I loved the most in sports media. NBA nightly coverage will never be the same. Respect for his decision though. Legend!”

Meanwhile, some users even shared anecdotes of meeting Johnson, including one fan on Instagram who commented that they remember running into Johnson at a Chick-fil-A when they were a teen, while another user who was previously a student at the University of Georgia recalls Johnson making the time to take pictures with all the students at a journalism class that he was a guest speaker at.

Inside the NBA will continue broadcasting select game nights through April as part of its current season on ESPN, ensuring fans have plenty of time to celebrate Johnson’s career before his final sign-off next spring.