Charles Barkley became emotional Thursday while paying tribute to his longtime TNT broadcasting partner Ernie Johnson, referring to Johnson as "our leader" during a Turner Sports event.
The NBA Hall of Famer and "Inside the NBA" analyst fought back tears as he honored Johnson, his colleague of more than two decades on the popular studio show. The moment highlighted the close relationship between the two broadcasters who have worked together since the program's early years.
The tribute took place during a Turner Sports gathering on October 29, 2026, where Barkley's visible emotion underscored the deep professional and personal bond shared by the broadcasting team.
