Ernie Johnson to step away from Inside the NBA at the end of the season

Ernie Johnson, the longtime host of Inside the NBA, announced Wednesday that he will step away from the program at the end of the current season, after 37 years in the role. In a video posted on social media, the 70-year-old said it was simply time to leave, and he opened that night's episode with a monologue thanking his co-hosts, the production crews and the network leadership. Johnson said he had undergone bypass surgery 14 months earlier and wants to spend more time with his wife and grandchildren. NBA commissioner Adam Silver issued a statement praising Johnson's broadcasting, character and compassion. On the first show since the announcement, co-host Charles Barkley, 63, fought back tears while paying tribute, saying the day had been expected and that it was still hard. The show moved to ESPN after TNT lost its NBA rights and has won 19 Sports Emmys.

Right-leaning Daily Mail and New York Post lead with Barkley's tearful on-air tribute, putting his emotion in their headlines and quoting his remarks at length, including his praise of Johnson as the group's leader and his comments about Johnson's character. Neither excerpt mentions Johnson's surgery or Silver's statement. Left-leaning The Guardian and Los Angeles Times lead with Johnson's career, health history and family reasons, quoting Silver and Johnson's own explanation. The Los Angeles Times headline also features Barkley's emotional thanks, while The Guardian adds that Barkley has said he will retire at season's end. Both sides agree on the core facts, the 37 years and the on-air tribute, but the right centers Barkley's reaction while the left centers Johnson's exit and reasons. Alternative source Awful Announcing differs by focusing on tributes from the ESPN broadcast team of a 76ers-Pacers game, including Mike Breen's opening remarks.