Ernie Johnson Is Being Replaced On NCAA Tournament Coverage

Changing of the Guard

Reaction from fans ranged from grumbling acceptance of the change to outright disappointment. Some feel that Burleson is solid but not nearly as good as Johnson, while others complained that Burleson is a football guy and that someone with more of a basketball focus should have gotten the role.

"Burleson is good. But EJ is iconic and will be missed," one user on X remarked.

"Really? Respect to Burleson but they couldn't get literally anyone that knows basketball?" another wrote.

"First off, best to EJ and his family. He’s an icon and makes all shows better when he hosts them. That said, this is a BRUTAL downgrade for Turner," wrote a third.

"Congrats to Burleson. An opportunity that you can’t turn down. But this is a big downgrade for us viewers. Respectfully, of course."

"In the history of downgrades, there’s never been a bigger one than going from Ernie Johnson to Nate Burleson."

Johnson is widely beloved and respected as one of the greatest basketball voices around. As his own career in broadcasting winds down, fans are lamenting the many changes to the viewing and listening experience.

Over the past several years the NCAA Tournament has lost numerous people who had long been the voices of the tournament.

Jim Nantz called his final NCAA Tournament in 2023 after decades of being "the voice of the Final Four."

One year later, the NCAA Tournament lost longtime studio host Greg Gumbel upon his sudden passing.