{
  "id": 17264281,
  "title": "Ernie Johnson Wants ‘Inside the NBA’ to Continue Without Him",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/30/ernie-johnson-wants-inside-the-nba-to-continue-without-him",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-10-30T17:15:36.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Front Office Sports",
    "slug": "front-office-sports",
    "url": "https://frontofficesports.com/article/ernie-johnson-wants-inside-the-nba-to-continue-without-him/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Ernie Johnson, who has hosted Inside the NBA for the past 37 years, has announced his intention to step back from his role at the end of this NBA season. In a video posted on social media, Johnson expressed his desire for the show to continue without him, stating that he doesn't want to be held responsible for ending the program. The 70-year-old Johnson, along with Kenny Smith, Charles Barkley, and Shaquille O'Neil, has been the main cast of the show since 2011. Johnson's decision to leave will allow him to \"slow down a bit\" as he deals with heart issues, while he continues to perform other broadcasting duties, including work for CBS and TNT during March Madness. Despite the change, ESPN is committed to keeping Inside the NBA as its primary NBA studio show, with NBA Countdown serving as a secondary program.",
  "summary": "Johnson said he doesn’t want to be “blamed” for ending the show.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}