It’s nearly the end of the road for Inside the NBA on TNT. After almost four decades of being arguably the greatest sports show on television, everyone’s beloved crew will transition to ESPN and ABC starting next season, because of NBA’s new $76 billion media rights deal. Although Ernie Johnson, Shaquille O’Neal, Charles Barkley, and Kenny Smith will continue their unfiltered analysis and friendly banter, it will not feel the same without the TNT logo on their set. And as the crew heads closer to the final episode, the reality of an emotional farewell is starting to set in.

Following last night’s Pacers vs Knicks Game 4 broadcast, NBA on TNT posted a wholesome image of the entire Inside the NBA team on the main studio set. Along with it was a heartfelt message by the Godfather himself, Ernie Johnson, “This is the greatest family in TV history, right here.”

If Shaq, Chuck, and Kenny are the entertainment factor and comedic relief of the show, then Ernie is the voice of reason and heart of it. Without him, there might be no Inside the NBA, at least not at the height it is today. That’s because EJ lives and breathes Inside the NBA, and even at 68-years-old, he does not take this platform for granted.

“We have never taken for granted what we get to do here. You know its special.” He said on TNT’s new documentary Going Inside. Obviously, as the show reaches its end, Ernie is flooded with emotions. But he still faces the camera with the same smile and enthusiasm he had the first time he hosted Inside the NBA, “Meeting with the fans, and signing stuff, and taking pictures, that’s the best part about taking the show on the road. And you think ‘Man, is that not gonna happen anymore?’ That’s the bittersweet part.”

Even though the entire nation is bracing to bid farewell to the show they grew up watching, the good news is – Inside the NBA will return next season, even if under a different network. Sure enough, Ernie is grateful for the opportunity.

Ernie Johnson claims “they can’t get rid of us” after Inside the NBA transitions from TNT to ESPN

Obviously, last summer was a tough time for every member on Inside the NBA. With NBA’s new media rights deal yet to be finalized, many feared the show might not return after this season. So, when it was announced that the show would live on under a different network, it was a huge sigh of relief for the entire team.

Sure enough, it was Ernie who addressed the crew with a heartfelt message the first time they got together in a room following the announcement. In a recent video posted by NBA on TNT, Ernie says, “One more thing real quick before everybody bounces, there’s been a lot of questions, a lot of wondering by everybody in the building about what was going on. You know where this show was gonna go. Just to see that was announced the other day, it’s gonna be different because it’s here and it’s showing somewhere else, but IT’S HERE. And you all deserve that.”

He continued, “We’ve been through a bunch of nights and for a lot of us, no matter what you do, there’s been anxiety. And there’s been ‘Hey, what’s going on in this uncertainty, in this cloud?’ Let’s enjoy this, alright? They can’t get rid of us. Have a great night.” The entire team clapped in unison, appreciating The Godfather’s message. Hopefully, most of the members will return next season when the show begins airing on ESPN and ABC. And for now, let’s enjoy the final few episodes of Inside the NBA on TNT before the iconic era comes to an end.