Ernie Johnson to exit 'Inside the NBA.' 'Thank you for being our leader,' an emotional Barkley says

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Set us as preferred Ernie Johnson, the bow-tie-wearing, peace-keeping host of “Inside the NBA,” is leaving the show after 37 years.“It’s just time,” the 70-year-old broadcaster said in a video posted Wednesday on social media.“So why now? Total honesty here.I’ve always prided myself on my preparation, the hours I put in every day getting ready for the next show.

I’ve always loved that part of my job, but I’ve always vowed that if that ever became more of a challenge than it is a joy, then I’ll know it’s time to step away.And now, after 37 seasons, it’s time.” Sports TNT’s ‘Inside the NBA’ show with Charles Barkley, Shaquille O’Neal, Kenny Smith and Ernie Johnson will likely end after the 2024-25 season with the NBA leaving the network.“Inside the NBA” started on TNT in 1989, and Johnson became host the following season.

Over the years, he was joined by analysts Kenny Smith (1998), Charles Barkley (2000) and Shaquille O’Neal (2011) in a lineup that has become beloved to generations of basketball fans — so much so that the show switched over to ESPN when TNT lost its NBA rights.“Few people have shaped the way fans experience the NBA as profoundly as Ernie Johnson,” NBA commissioner Adam Silver said in a statement.“His brilliance as a broadcaster is matched by his character, compassion and generosity, which have been evident throughout his 37 years as host of ‘Inside the NBA.’ We are grateful for Ernie’s extraordinary impact on our league and look forward to celebrating him during his final season.”Johnson repeated his announcement to open the crew’s appearance on ESPN’s “NBA Tip-Off” on Wednesday, then asked a clearly emotional Barkley how he was doing.Take a listen to Ernie Johnson speaking on stepping away from Inside the NBA after 37 years ️ pic.twitter.com/J...