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Nate Burleson to Host Early Rounds of 2026 NCAA Tournament as Ernie Johnson Scales Back

Expanded Inside the NBA duties prompted the change, signaling a broader transition in March Madness studio roles.

Overview

  • CBS and TNT assigned Burleson to studio-host coverage from the first round through the Regional Finals out of New York, sharing duties there with Adam Zucker.
  • Adam Lefkoe will lead a secondary studio show from Atlanta, continuing the multi-desk format across the tournament’s early weeks.
  • Ernie Johnson will sit out the first two weeks and return to anchor Final Four studio coverage at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
  • Burleson will make his college basketball hosting debut this Sunday on CBS before Ohio StateMichigan State at 1 p.m. ET.
  • Reports tie Johnson’s reduced role to an increased ESPN/ABC slate for Inside the NBA, and his Final Four return alongside expected NBA Finals duties would make him the first to host both in the same year since 1984; Selection Sunday is March 15 with games beginning March 17–19.