Photograph: Jesse D Garrabrant/NBAE/Getty Images

Ernie Johnson, beloved host of Inside the NBA, to step away from show at end of season

After a tenure spanning 37 years, Ernie Johnson has declared his departure from the studio program Inside the NBA following the conclusion of the current campaign. The 70-year-old broadcaster, who has navigated various health challenges including a cancer diagnosis and recent heart surgery, intends to prioritize time with his family.

His exit coincides with the planned retirement of colleague Charles Barkley from the same program. Since its inception, the show has garnered 19 Sports Emmy awards and recently transitioned to ABC and ESPN after a long duration on Turner platforms.

Johnson has been a staple of the broadcast team alongside Kenny Smith, Barkley, and Shaquille O’Neal since 1990.

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