Beloved NBA host Ernie Johnson Jr will step away from the studio for the majority of March Madness, it has emerged..
The 69-year-old, who has helped anchor coverage of the tournament since 2011 across CBS Sports and Turner Sports, will be replaced by former NFL player-turned analyst and CBS Mornings co-host Nate Burleson.
Johnson Jr, who is part of the iconic ‘Inside The NBA’ crew, has become a fixture of basketball broadcasting over the past three and a half decades.
The Hall of Fame anchor typically fronts the coverage of the NCAA men’s basketball tournament, which will run from March 15 to April 6.
This year, however, Johnson will miss the first two weeks of March Madness, with Burleson taking over through the regional finals of the competition.
The other studio hosts will be Adam Zucker and Adam Lefkoe. ‘Of course, I’m ready. Shout out to Ernie – the legend. I’ll just be keeping his seat warm. He’s going to return for the Final Four,’ Burleson told CBS Mornings.
Ernie Johnson Jr will step away from the studio for the majority of March Madness this year
He will replaced by ex-NFL player-turned analyst and CBS Mornings co-host Nate Burleson
The 44-year-old spent a decade in the NFL as a wide receiver but he is also a former All-State point guard and Burleson’s brother Kevin is currently an assistant coach with the Detroit Pistons.
He added: ‘I’m ready to go, it’s the first sport I fell in love with, the first sport I learned how to play… basketball the sport is near and dear to myself and my family.’
CBS announced that Johnson will return to the studio for the Final Four. Johnson, the son and namesake of an ex-MLB pitcher and announcer, has hosted Inside The NBA since 1990.
In more recent decades, he has formed a hugely popular partnership with Charles Barkley, Shaquille O’Neal and Kenny Smith.
This year, Johnson – who has previously battled non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma and blood clots – will help lead coverage of the NBA Finals on ABC.
