Ernie Johnson, the longtime host of TNT's "Inside the NBA," announced on Wednesday that he will retire from the program following the 2026-2027 season. Johnson cited health issues as the reason for his departure.
During the show's broadcast later that evening, Johnson's co-hosts—Shaquille O'Neal, Charles Barkley, and Kenny Smith—shared heartfelt tributes. O'Neal was the first to address Johnson directly, expressing his gratitude for their time together.
"Thanks for the great run. I never thought this day would come," O'Neal said. "I didn’t even know you were 70.” He added, “Makes sense now.” O'Neal also acknowledged the approaching end of an era but expressed optimism for the current season. "What's happening now is we're still here, and we're gonna have a great year," he stated.
Johnson has been a fixture on "Inside the NBA" since 1990. The show, which debuted in November 1989, moved to ESPN before the 2025-2026 season, following TNT's broadcast rights for the NBA.
O'Neal joined the "Inside the NBA" cast in 2011 after concluding his NBA career. He has been a consistent presence alongside Johnson, Barkley, and Smith, with the four of them being the only individuals to remain with the show for over a decade.