Behind the Mic: Ernie Johnson To Leave Inside the NBA After 2026-27 NBA Season; Golf Channel Shares 2026 Optum Golf Channel Games Roster

Behind The Mic provides a roundup of recent news regarding on-air talent, including new deals, departures, and assignments compiled from press releases and reports around the industry. In this week's edition,

Ernie Johnson Announces Final Season of Inside the NBA

Longtime broadcaster Ernie Johnson announced that the 2026-27 NBA season will be his last as host of Inside the NBA, though he stressed he is not retiring, just cutting back and will continue to work March Madness and other projects for TNT and CBS while building his new production company, 32 Bowties. Johnson, who had bypass surgery 14 months ago after nearly two years of heart issues, said the decision was not doctor-mandated but has made him treasure time with his wife of 44 years and their five grandchildren even more

In addition to reactions pouring in to social media, ESPN Chair Jimmy Pitaro said in a statement, Ernie Johnson is one of sports media's most respected and beloved figures. For more than three decades, he has been the heart of Inside the NBA, helping create one of the most iconic and entertaining studio shows in sports. We are grateful for Ernie's extraordinary contributions and look forward to celebrating him throughout the season

Golf Channel Announces Rosters for 2026 Optum Golf Channel Games, Airing Dec. 16

Golf Channel has announced the team rosters for the 2026 Optum Golf Channel Games, led by Rory McIlroy and Scottie Scheffler. The event returns Wednesday, Dec. 16, at Trump National Golf Club Jupiter, airing live in primetime on Golf Channel and USA Network. It debuted in 2025.

Team Rory: McIlroy, Matt Fitzpatrick, Si Woo Kim and Haotong Li. Li returns to the team for 2026.

Team Scottie: Scheffler, Chris Gotterup, Michael Brennan and Jackson Koivun. Team Scottie won the inaugural event last year.

Scheffler and McIlroy return to lead their teams through the rapid-fire competition, which includes the Team Relay and 14-Club Challenge, along with new challenges for 2026.

Golf Channel highlights these facts about the field:

Six of the top 20 players in the Official World Golf Ranking: Scheffler (No. 1), McIlroy (2), Fitzpatrick (3), Gotterup (6), Kim (14) and Brennan (18)

Three major champions: Scheffler, McIlroy and Fitzpatrick

A combined 70 PGA Tour wins, including 13 in 2026

Four players competed in the 2026 Presidents Cup: Scheffler, Gotterup and Koivun for the U.S. Team, and Kim for the International Team

Three players competed in the 2025 Ryder Cup: Scheffler for Team USA, and McIlroy and Fitzpatrick for Team Europe

Three players return from the 2025 event: Scheffler, McIlroy and Li

Producers Mark Loomis and Chris Maguire lead Golf Channel's production. The event was launched in association with PGA Tour Studios and created in partnership with EverWonder Studio and producer Bryan Zuriff. The full broadcast team and more details will be announced in the coming weeks.

The inaugural Optum Golf Channel Games proved that a unique format showcasing the best players in the world under the pressure of a running clock produces a kind of energy we don't normally see in our sport, says Tom Knapp, EVP and GM, Golf Channel. That energy translated to the viewers at home and we're excited to build off of last year's momentum with this group of elite golfers, leaning into what worked well last year and implementing some new challenges this year.

TNT Sports Secures Hubert Davis as Men's College Basketball Commentator

TNT Sports will welcome former North Carolina head coach Hubert Davis as a regular contributor to its men's college basketball game and studio coverage throughout the 2026-27 season. Davis will make his first studio appearance Thursday, Nov. 5, as part of the network's BIG EAST and Big 12 tripleheader on truTV and HBO Max. A 12-year NBA veteran, Davis guided the Tar Heels to the 2022 NCAA national championship game and brings the perspective of a former player and head coach to TNT Sports' coverage.

He joins a commentator roster featuring championship-winning coaches, college basketball legends and some of the most recognizable voices in sports broadcasting.

Adam Lefkoe, Bruce Pearl, Jalen Rose & Jamal Mashburn lead Opening Week studio coverage; while Chris Webber joins for Friday's Michigan-UConn Showdown.

Brian Anderson, one of sports television's most accomplished and versatile play-by-play voices, will call both opening night games alongside Grant Hill, a two-time NCAA national champion at Duke and Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Famer. Veteran TNT Sports reporter Allie LaForce will provide courtside reporting throughout the night. Other key announcers include veteran national play-by-player Spero Dedes, and analyst Jim Spanarkel on the call, and TNT Sports reporter Jared Greenberg courtside; as well as Brandon Gaudin, who

will be joined by Ronny Thompson, former Georgetown player and college basketball coach, with TNT Sports and acclaimed college basketball correspondent Andy Katz.

Studio coverage bwill feature host Tim Doyle will be joined by experienced college basketball analyst Dalen Cuff, award-winning college basketball journalist and analyst Seth Davis; and Hubert Davis.

LINK:	https://www.sportsvideo.org/2026/11/02/behind-the-mic-ernie-johnson-to...
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