{"id":2306,"date":"2026-02-19T15:48:56","date_gmt":"2026-02-19T15:48:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/media\/?p=2306"},"modified":"2026-02-19T15:48:56","modified_gmt":"2026-02-19T15:48:56","slug":"nate-burleson-replaces-a-legend-in-cbs-and-tnt-sports-march-madness-coverage","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/media\/sports-media\/nate-burleson-replaces-a-legend-in-cbs-and-tnt-sports-march-madness-coverage\/","title":{"rendered":"Nate Burleson Replaces A Legend In CBS and TNT Sports&#8217; March Madness Coverage"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span class=\"css-1jxf684 r-bcqeeo r-1ttztb7 r-qvutc0 r-poiln3 r-1adg3ll r-1g7jtus r-1x3r274\"><span class=\"css-1jxf684 r-bcqeeo r-1ttztb7 r-qvutc0 r-poiln3\"><span class=\"css-1jxf684 r-bcqeeo r-1ttztb7 r-qvutc0 r-poiln3 r-1x3r274\">CBS and TNT Sports have announced that Nate Burleson will replace Ernie Johnson Jr. as one of the primary studio host for the early rounds of the 2026 NCAA Men&#8217;s Basketball Tournament. <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"omit-from-copy\">\n<div class=\"css-175oi2r r-xoduu5 r-u8s1d r-ocobd0 r-1sc8clx\" data-testid=\"grok_citation_web_result\">\n<div class=\"css-175oi2r r-xoduu5\" data-testid=\"placementTracking\">\n<div class=\"css-175oi2r r-xoduu5 r-109y4c4 r-11j9u27 r-92ng3h\"><span class=\"css-1jxf684 r-bcqeeo r-1ttztb7 r-qvutc0 r-poiln3 r-1adg3ll r-1g7jtus r-1x3r274\"><span class=\"css-1jxf684 r-bcqeeo r-1ttztb7 r-qvutc0 r-poiln3\"><span class=\"css-1jxf684 r-bcqeeo r-1ttztb7 r-qvutc0 r-poiln3 r-1x3r274\">Burleson, known for his charismatic presence as a co-host on <em>CBS Mornings<\/em> and an analyst on <em>The NFL Today<\/em>, will helm the coverage from the New York studios through the Regional Finals. This move comes as Johnson opts to step back from the first two weeks of the tournament, making his debut appearance at the Men&#8217;s Final Four in Indianapolis. <\/span><\/span><\/span><span class=\"css-1jxf684 r-bcqeeo r-1ttztb7 r-qvutc0 r-poiln3 r-1adg3ll r-1g7jtus r-1x3r274\"><span class=\"css-1jxf684 r-bcqeeo r-1ttztb7 r-qvutc0 r-poiln3\"><span class=\"css-1jxf684 r-bcqeeo r-1ttztb7 r-qvutc0 r-poiln3 r-1x3r274\">Ernie Johnson, a TNT Sports veteran and staple of NCAA Tournament coverage since 2011, has a demanding schedule over the next few months.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">&#8220;It\u2019s the first sport I fell in love with\u2026there\u2019s no better platform and time of the year than March Madness.\u201d<a  href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/nateburleson?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">@nateburleson<\/a> is joining CBS Sports and TNT Sports\u2019 coverage of the NCAA Men&#8217;s Basketball Tournament as a studio host! <a  href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/STJyQnITb7\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">pic.twitter.com\/STJyQnITb7<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 CBS Sports PR (@CBSSportsGang) <a  href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/CBSSportsGang\/status\/2024482164155302194?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">February 19, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<h2>Where is Ernie Johnson going?<\/h2>\n<div class=\"omit-from-copy\">\n<div class=\"css-175oi2r r-xoduu5 r-u8s1d r-ocobd0 r-1sc8clx\" data-testid=\"grok_citation_web_result\">\n<div class=\"css-175oi2r r-xoduu5 r-109y4c4 r-11j9u27 r-92ng3h\">Johnson&#8217;s commitments include ramping up appearances on the TNT-produced NBA studio shows <em>NBA Tip-Off<\/em> and <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/media\/sports-media\/nba-local-rights-could-get-streaming-package-soon\/\" target=\"_self\"><em>Inside the NBA<\/em><\/a>, which are set to air on ESPN\/ABC for three consecutive nights over the next three weeks. This totals nine dates, matching their pre-All-Star break schedule. Additionally, Johnson is poised to work through the end of the <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/media\/sports-media\/nba-local-rights-could-get-streaming-package-soon\/\" target=\"_self\">NBA season<\/a>, hosting the NBA Finals for the first time in 17 years as ABC&#8217;s primary studio show. This historic feat would make him the first broadcaster since Brent Musburger in 1984 to host both the NCAA Men&#8217;s Final Four and the NBA Finals in the same year. Johnson previously hosted NBA Finals coverage in 2009 via special<em> Inside the NBA<\/em> postgame shows on NBA TV.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<p><span class=\"css-1jxf684 r-bcqeeo r-1ttztb7 r-qvutc0 r-poiln3 r-1adg3ll r-1g7jtus r-1x3r274\"><span class=\"css-1jxf684 r-bcqeeo r-1ttztb7 r-qvutc0 r-poiln3\"><span class=\"css-1jxf684 r-bcqeeo r-1ttztb7 r-qvutc0 r-poiln3 r-1x3r274\">The transition highlights a new era for March Madness broadcasting. Johnson has long shared hosting duties with the late Greg Gumbel, who passed away in late 2024. <\/span><\/span><\/span>Coupled with play-by-play legend Jim Nantz&#8217;s departure from the tournament the previous year, the coverage is undergoing a notable evolution. Last year, following Gumbel&#8217;s passing, CBS relied on a trio of hosts\u2014Johnson, Adam Lefkoe, and Adam Zucker\u2014to manage the three studio teams.<\/p>\n<div class=\"omit-from-copy\">\n<div class=\"css-175oi2r r-1awozwy r-xoduu5 r-1777fci r-9iso6 r-wnp491 r-5rknyj\">Burleson, a former NFL wide receiver who played 11 seasons with the Minnesota Vikings, Seattle Seahawks, and Detroit Lions, brings a fresh energy to the desk. Drafted in the third round of the 2003 NFL Draft, Burleson transitioned to broadcasting in 2017, joining CBS as a studio analyst. He has since earned two Sports Emmy Awards for Outstanding Sports Personality\/Studio Analyst and contributed to the Emmy-winning NFL Wild Card Game coverage on Nickelodeon in 2021. Since September 2021, he has co-hosted <em>CBS Mornings<\/em>, which won a 2022 News Emmy for Outstanding Live News Program. Prior to that, he was a co-host of <em>Good Morning Football<\/em> on the NFL Network.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div><span class=\"css-1jxf684 r-bcqeeo r-1ttztb7 r-qvutc0 r-poiln3 r-1adg3ll r-1g7jtus r-1x3r274\"><span class=\"css-1jxf684 r-bcqeeo r-1ttztb7 r-qvutc0 r-poiln3\"><span class=\"css-1jxf684 r-bcqeeo r-1ttztb7 r-qvutc0 r-poiln3 r-1x3r274\">Expressing his excitement, Burleson shared on <em>CBS Mornings<\/em>, \u201cIt\u2019s the first sport I fell in love with, the first sport I learned how to play. As everybody knows, my brother coaches in the NBA. So basketball, the sport is near and dear to myself and my family, and I\u2019ve been itching to contribute to basketball coverage under the CBS Sports umbrella, and finally I get to do that.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<h3>Burleson&#8217;s College Basketball debut<\/h3>\n<div>\n<p>Burleson&#8217;s March Madness duties begin ahead of the tournament with hosting college basketball coverage this Sunday on CBS and CBS Sports Network, before the Ohio State vs. Michigan State game at 1 p.m. ET. During the tournament, he will share New York hosting responsibilities with Adam Zucker, while Lefkoe handles the secondary studio from Atlanta. Burleson will work alongside analysts Clark Kellogg, Charles Barkley, and Kenny Smith, promising dynamic discussions and insights. This role is seen as a stepping stone for Burleson, positioning him as a strong contender to succeed James Brown as host of <em>The NFL Today<\/em>.<\/p>\n<p><span class=\"css-1jxf684 r-bcqeeo r-1ttztb7 r-qvutc0 r-poiln3 r-1adg3ll r-1g7jtus r-1x3r274\"><span class=\"css-1jxf684 r-bcqeeo r-1ttztb7 r-qvutc0 r-poiln3\"><span class=\"css-1jxf684 r-bcqeeo r-1ttztb7 r-qvutc0 r-poiln3 r-1x3r274\"> As the tournament approaches, fans can look forward to Selection Sunday on March 15, when the 68-team bracket is revealed, followed by the First Four on March 17 and 18, and the first round starting March 19. <\/span><\/span><\/span>Adam Zucker is expected to host the <em>Selection Show<\/em>, continuing from his role in the <em>Bracket Preview Show<\/em> this Saturday, where the current top-16 seeds will be announced.<\/p>\n<div class=\"omit-from-copy\">\n<div class=\"css-175oi2r r-1awozwy r-xoduu5 r-1777fci r-9iso6 r-wnp491 r-5rknyj\">The 2026 NCAA Tournament promises the usual thrills of upsets, buzzer-beaters, and bracket-busting drama, but with Burleson&#8217;s addition, the studio coverage gains a new voice rooted in passion for the game. As Johnson focuses on his NBA commitments and returns for the Final Four at Lucas Oil Stadium, this handover underscores the ever-evolving landscape of sports media, blending legacy with emerging talent to keep March Madness as captivating as ever.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>CBS and TNT Sports have announced that Nate Burleson will replace Ernie Johnson Jr. as one of the primary studio host for the early rounds of the 2026 NCAA Men&#8217;s Basketball Tournament. Burleson, known for his charismatic presence as a co-host on CBS Mornings and an analyst on The NFL Today, will helm the coverage [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5665,"featured_media":2310,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"no","_lmt_disable":"","sfio_featured_image":false,"sfio_embed_code":"","_ef_editorial_meta_date_first-draft-date":"","_ef_editorial_meta_paragraph_assignment":"","_ef_editorial_meta_checkbox_needs-photo":"","_ef_editorial_meta_number_word-count":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[273,264,238,285],"tags":[75],"class_list":["post-2306","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-cbs-sports","category-news","category-sports-media","category-tnt","tag-featured"],"modified_by":"Steve Carney","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/media\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2306","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/media\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/media\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/media\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/5665"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/media\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2306"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/media\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2306\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2311,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/media\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2306\/revisions\/2311"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/media\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2310"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/media\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2306"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/media\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2306"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/media\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2306"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}