Shaquille O'Neal Under Fire for Treatment of Ernie Johnson on Final 'NBA on TNT' Broadcast

Ernie Johnson had an emotional goodbye to fans on the final "NBA on TNT" broadcast -- then Shaquille O'Neal got the last word.

O'Neal is drawing pushback for his treatment of Johnson at the end of Saturday's broadcast, which came after the Indiana Pacers finished off the New York Knicks to advance to the NBA Finals. 

The show will be moving to ESPN and ABC next season, making Saturday's broadcast the last one ever for TNT.

Johnson explained how he had been with the company for more than 35 years and was grateful for all the support he had received.

"Gratitude is the operative word for me," Johnson said. "Grateful that since 1989 I've been with this company. No matter what you call the company, I'll always be Turner. I'm grateful that I've worked with you guys, I'm grateful for all of the relationships we've built professionally and personally through the years."

Johnson was overcome with emotion as he gave his final goodbye and turned away from the camera, with O'Neal taking over to say the crew would be dropping their microphones for a final time.  

Some fans thought this ruined Johnson's emotional goodbye, saying the former NBA star was making it about himself.

"Shaq ruined the perfect sign off at the end. Should’ve left the last words to Ernie," one fan wrote in a post on X.

"You know how he is. Always gotta be the last word," another fan added.

"Shaq had to ruin EJ’s sign off," shared another.

Johnson and O'Neal will still get to share the screen next year. Both will be staying on as co-hosts when the show moves to ESPN, with Charles Barkley and Kenny Smith joining them.