An era of basketball television is coming to a close. Ernie Johnson announced Wednesday that he will step away from “Inside the NBA” after the 2026-27 season, ending a 37-year run as the show’s beloved studio host.

The 70-year-old made the announcement in a video posted to X on Wednesday morning, telling fans: “Totally my decision. It’s just time.”

Johnson pointed to heart issues, including bypass surgery over the past two years, as a factor in his decision, adding: “I’ve always prided myself on my preparation.”

He’s not fully retiring, though — Johnson said he will still work the NCAA men’s basketball tournament, telling fans, “This is by no means the end — it’s just a turning of the page.”

ESPN began licensing “Inside the NBA” from TNT last season, and longtime co-host Charles Barkley responded emotionally to the news.

Front Office Sports has the full story and his announcement video.

Photo: Ernie Johnson in 2019. (Georgia Sports Hall of Fame, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons)