History of Ernie Johnson Jr. in Timeline

Ernie Johnson Jr. is a prominent American sportscaster, best known for his work with TNT Sports. He's the voice of Major League Baseball on TBS and the host of the popular 'Inside the NBA' on TNT and NBA TV. Johnson also contributes to the NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament coverage for TNT Sports and CBS Sports. His father, Ernie Johnson Sr., was a former Major League Baseball pitcher and Atlanta Braves announcer, adding to his lineage in the world of sports broadcasting.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements

August 7, 1956: Ernie Johnson Jr. Born

On August 7, 1956, Ernest Thorwald Johnson Jr. was born. He is now a sportscaster for TNT Sports.

1956: Birth in Milwaukee

In 1956, Ernie Johnson Jr. was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. His father, Ernie Johnson Sr., was a Major League Baseball player.

1964: Family Moved to Atlanta

In 1964, Ernie Johnson's family moved to Atlanta, Georgia after his father retired from professional baseball. At the time, Ernie was eight years old.

1974: Graduated from Marist School

In 1974, Ernie Johnson Jr. graduated from the Marist School, a private Catholic school in Brookhaven, Georgia.

1978: Graduation from University of Georgia

In 1978, Ernie Johnson Jr. graduated summa cum laude from the University of Georgia with a Bachelor of Arts in journalism.

1979: Hired at WMAZ-TV

In 1979, Ernie Johnson Jr. was hired as a news anchor at WMAZ-TV in Macon, Georgia.

1981: Hired at WSPA-TV

In 1981, Ernie Johnson Jr. was hired as a news reporter at WSPA-TV in Spartanburg, South Carolina.

1982: Joined WSB-TV

In 1982, Ernie Johnson Jr. started working in Atlanta at WSB-TV as a general assignment news reporter.

1983: Became Weekend Sports Anchor at WSB-TV

In 1983, Ernie Johnson Jr. became the weekend sports anchor and reporter at WSB-TV, adding to his existing role.

1989: Joined Turner Sports

In 1989, Ernie Johnson Jr. left WSB-TV to join Turner Sports, marking a significant step in his career.

1990: Hosted FIFA World Cup

In 1990, Ernie Johnson Jr. was the studio host for TNT's coverage of the FIFA World Cup.

1990: Host of Inside the NBA

Since 1990, Ernie Johnson Jr. has been the studio host for TNT's coverage of the NBA, including pregame and halftime shows, and the postgame show Inside the NBA.

1992: Winter Olympics duties

In 1992, Ernie Johnson Jr. had various duties at the Winter Olympics in Albertville, France.

1993: Called Braves Games with Father

Starting in 1993, Ernie Johnson Jr. began calling Atlanta Braves baseball games for SportSouth with his father, Ernie Johnson Sr.

1994: Duties at Goodwill Games and Winter Olympics

In 1994, Ernie Johnson Jr. had various duties at the Goodwill Games, and the 1994 Winter Olympics in Lillehammer.

1996: End of Braves Games Announcing

In 1996, Ernie Johnson Jr.'s run calling Atlanta Braves baseball games for SportSouth with his father came to an end.

1997: NFL Coverage End

From 1990 to 1997, Ernie Johnson Jr. was a studio host for TNT's National Football League coverage.

1998: Duties at Goodwill Games

In 1998, Ernie Johnson Jr. had various duties at the Goodwill Games.

2000: Studio Host for Wimbledon

From 2000, Ernie Johnson Jr. worked as the studio host for The Championships, Wimbledon.

2001: Duties at Goodwill Games

In 2001, Ernie Johnson Jr. had various duties at the Goodwill Games.

2002: Sports Emmy Win

In 2002, Ernie Johnson Jr. co-won the Sports Emmy for Outstanding Sports Personality, Studio Host, tying with Bob Costas.

2002: End of Wimbledon Hosting

In 2002, Ernie Johnson Jr.'s role as the studio host for The Championships, Wimbledon came to an end.

2003: Diagnosed with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma

In 2003, Ernie Johnson Jr. was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma but continued his work until June 2006.

2005: Intel Centrino and Suzuki sponsor Neat-O Stat

For the 2005–06 NBA season, Ernie Johnson's "E.J.'s Neat-O Stat of the Night" segment was sponsored by Intel Centrino and Suzuki.

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June 2006: Began Cancer Treatment

In June 2006, Ernie Johnson Jr. began treatment for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, causing him to miss TNT's coverage of the British Open and PGA Championship.

October 31, 2006: Returned to Inside the NBA

On October 31, 2006, Ernie Johnson Jr. returned to Inside the NBA while continuing chemotherapy for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.

2006: Won Sports Emmy Again

In 2006, Ernie Johnson Jr. won the Sports Emmy for Outstanding Sports Personality, Studio Host, on his own, breaking Bob Costas's streak.

2007: Studio Host for Baseball Coverage

From 2007, Ernie Johnson Jr. served as the studio host alongside Cal Ripken Jr. for TBS's coverage of Major League Baseball.

2007: Vitaminwater sponsors Neat-O Stat

In 2007, vitaminwater became the sponsor of Ernie Johnson's "E.J.'s Neat-O Stat of the Night" segment on Inside the NBA.

2008: Panasonic Viera sponsors Neat-O Stat

In 2008, Panasonic's Viera line of televisions replaced vitaminwater as the sponsor of Ernie Johnson's "E.J.'s Neat-O Stat of the Night" segment on Inside the NBA.

2009: Continued as Studio Host

In 2009, Ernie Johnson Jr. continued to work as the studio host alongside Cal Ripken Jr. for TBS's coverage of Major League Baseball.

2010: Play-by-Play Role for TBS

In 2010, Ernie Johnson Jr. moved into a play-by-play role for TBS, becoming the lead broadcaster for their playoff coverage, including the ALCS, and also broadcast 40 Atlanta Braves games on Peachtree TV.

2012: Joined by Hardaway and Scott

In the 2012–13 NBA season, Ernie Johnson was joined by Anfernee "Penny" Hardaway and Dennis Scott on Inside the NBA while Kenny Smith and Charles Barkley covered March Madness on CBS.

2014: NBA 2K Franchise

Since 2014, Ernie Johnson Jr. has been a sportscaster on the NBA 2K franchise.

January 2015: Sports Emmy Win and Tribute to Stuart Scott

In January 2015, Ernie Johnson Jr. won his third Sports Emmy for Best Studio Host and gave his award to the daughters of the late Stuart Scott.

November 10, 2016: Remarks on 2016 U.S. Presidential Election

On November 10, 2016, Ernie Johnson Jr. discussed the 2016 U.S. presidential election on Inside the NBA, revealing his Christian faith and writing in his vote for Ohio governor John Kasich.

April 2017: Release of Memoir

In April 2017, Ernie Johnson Jr. released his memoir, "Unscripted: The Unpredictable Moments That Make Life Extraordinary".

October 1, 2018: Announcement Regarding MLB Postseason

On October 1, 2018, Ernie Johnson Jr. announced he would not be part of the 2018 MLB postseason on TBS due to blood clots in his legs, affecting his ability to travel by air.

2020: Returned as Studio Host for TBS

In 2020, Ernie Johnson Jr. again became a studio host for TBS's pregame and postgame show while continuing his play-by-play role for TBS's coverage of Major League Baseball.

October 2022: Signed contract extension with Warner Bros.

In October 2022, Ernie Johnson Jr. signed a long-term contract extension with Warner Bros. Discovery Sports to continue as a host on Inside the NBA.

2024: Alternated with Greg Gumbel

Ernie Johnson Jr. serves as a studio host for the NCAA tournament for CBS and Turner Sports, alternating with Greg Gumbel until Gumbel's death in 2024.