During the Thursday night broadcast of The Match on TNT, Charles Barkley broke some very important news to Ernie Johnson.

Barkley informed Johnson, a longtime colleague on Inside the NBA, of his upcoming induction into the Sports Broadcasting Hall of Fame. The news-sharing role was given to Barkley by the producers, and the NBA star described it as a “honor and a privilege” to do so.

Johnson, who has served as a host of TNT’s “Inside the NBA” since 1989, will be inducted into the 2023 Sports Broadcasting Hall of Fame. Johnson learned the news from longtime broadcast partner Charles Barkley, who he calls “Chuckster,” live from the set of the eighth edition of “The Match” in Las Vegas on Thursday.

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“Can I say something Ernie?” — “I think you already are,” Johnson cracked — “This is big. This is big,” Barkley said. “I’m the only person up here (who) knows this… It’s an honor and a privilege to congratulate Ernie Johnson going into the Sports Broadcasting Hall of Fame.”

Johnson expressed his appreciation for being inducted into the Sports Broadcasting Hall of Fame and described himself as “humbled beyond words.” Johnson removed his headphones in jest and joked, “You know what, I’m taking the rest of the day off.”

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It’s the seasoned sports broadcaster’s most recent honor. Johnson has won the Sports Emmy Award for Outstanding Sports Personality, Studio Host no less than six times. Alongside ESPN’s Scott Van Pelt, Johnson shared the 2021 National Sportscaster of the Year award from the National Sports Media Association.

Fans were just as excited for Johnson earning this honor as they posted congratulations all over Twitter for the host. A fan wrote, “Awww they genuinely surprised Ernie Johnson with Charles Barkley telling him he’s going into the Broadcasters Hall of Fame. So touching.”

Another fan said, “Ernie Johnson is someone I’ve admired for a long time now, especially through my journey in the sports media world. Great to see his talent get recognized today!”