Ernie Johnson to end 'Inside the NBA' run after 36 seasons

Ernie Johnson will stop hosting the TNT broadcast of "Inside the NBA" when the current season ends. The 70-year-old Sports Broadcasting Hall of Famer made the announcement on social media on Wednesday, ending a 36-year run with the show.

Johnson clarified that he is not retiring from broadcasting. He stated that he is simply cutting back on his workload. "This is by no means the end. It's just a turning of the page," he wrote in his post.

The decision follows years of heart issues, though Johnson noted that health is not the reason for his departure from the NBA studio. He explained, "I just want to slow down a bit." He plans to remain active by covering the NCAA men's basketball tournament for CBS and Turner Sports.

Johnson joined Turner Sports in 1989 and has hosted "Inside the NBA" since 1990. Over that span, he earned six Sports Emmy Awards. In his message, he thanked the production crews at TNT Sports and ESPN, as well as the viewers who watched the show for decades.

"I just want to say thanks to you. Thanks for your loyalty, for your love, for your support. And on this day, for your understanding," Johnson said. He described the upcoming final season as a cherished chapter in his career.