History of Ernie Johnson Jr. in Timeline

Ernie Johnson Jr. is a prominent American sportscaster for TNT Sports, known for his work as the television voice and studio host for Major League Baseball on TBS. He is also recognized as the host of Inside the NBA, broadcast on TNT, ESPN, ABC, and NBA TV. Additionally, Johnson contributes to the joint coverage of the NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament for TNT Sports and CBS Sports. His father, Ernie Johnson Sr., was a Major League Baseball pitcher and Atlanta Braves play-by-play announcer, establishing a family legacy in sports broadcasting.

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Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements

August 7, 1956: Ernest Thorwald Johnson Jr. Born

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

1956: Born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin

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, Georgia

In 1964, Ernie Johnson Jr.'s family moved to Atlanta, Georgia after his father retired from professional baseball.

1974: Graduated from Marist School

In 1974, Ernie Johnson Jr. graduated from the Marist School in Brookhaven, Georgia.

1978: Graduated 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 as News Anchor at WMAZ-TV

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

1981: Hired as News Reporter at WSPA-TV

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

1982: News Reporter at WSB-TV

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

1983: Weekend Sports Anchor and Reporter

In 1983, Ernie Johnson Jr. became the weekend sports anchor and reporter for WSB-TV.

1989: Joined Turner Sports

In 1989, Ernie Johnson Jr. left WSB-TV to join Turner Sports.

1990: Studio Host for NFL coverage

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

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, halftime shows, and Inside the NBA.

1992: Winter Olympics

In 1992, Ernie Johnson Jr. worked at the Winter Olympics in Albertville, France.

1993: Called Atlanta Braves Baseball Games

From 1993 to 1996, Ernie Johnson Jr. called Atlanta Braves baseball games for SportSouth with his father.

1994: Goodwill Games

In 1994, 1998, and 2001, Ernie Johnson Jr. took on various duties at the Goodwill Games.

1996: Called Atlanta Braves Baseball Games

From 1993 to 1996, Ernie Johnson Jr. called Atlanta Braves baseball games for SportSouth with his father.

1997: Studio Host for NFL coverage

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

1998: Goodwill Games

In 1994, 1998, and 2001, Ernie Johnson Jr. took on various duties at the Goodwill Games.

2000: Studio Host for Wimbledon

From 2000 to 2002, Ernie Johnson Jr. was the studio host for The Championships, Wimbledon.

2001: Goodwill Games

In 1994, 1998, and 2001, Ernie Johnson Jr. took on various duties at the Goodwill Games.

2002: Studio Host for Wimbledon

From 2000 to 2002, Ernie Johnson Jr. was the studio host for The Championships, Wimbledon.

2002: Sports Emmy for Outstanding Sports Personality

In 2002, Ernie Johnson Jr. was co-winner of the Sports Emmy for Outstanding Sports Personality, Studio Host, tying with Bob Costas of NBC and HBO.

2003: Diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma

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

2005: Intel Centrino and Suzuki sponsored "E.J.'s Neat-O Stat of the Night"

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

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June 2006: Began treatment for Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma

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

In 2006, Ernie Johnson Jr. won the Sports Emmy for Outstanding Sports Personality, Studio Host.

2007: Studio host for MLB on TBS

From 2007 to 2009, Ernie Johnson Jr. worked as the studio host alongside Cal Ripken Jr. for TBS's coverage of Major League Baseball.

2007: vitaminwater sponsored "E.J.'s Neat-O Stat of the Night"

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

2008: Panasonic Viera sponsored "E.J.'s Neat-O Stat of the Night"

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

2009: Studio host for MLB on TBS

From 2007 to 2009, Ernie Johnson Jr. worked 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's playoff coverage, including the 2010 ALCS, and broadcast 40 Atlanta Braves games on Peachtree TV.

2012: Joined by Hardaway and Scott on Inside the NBA

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

2014: Sportscaster for NBA 2K Franchise

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

January 2015: Awarded Sports Emmy and Gave It To Stuart Scott's Daughters

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: Discussed 2016 U.S. Presidential Election

On November 10, 2016, Ernie Johnson Jr. discussed the 2016 U.S. presidential election on Inside the NBA and revealed that he wrote in his vote for Ohio governor John Kasich.

April 2017: Released Memoir "Unscripted"

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

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October 1, 2018: Announced Absence from MLB Postseason

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

2020: Studio Host for TBS pre and post game show

In 2020, Ernie Johnson Jr. 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. Discovery Sports

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

2024: Studio Host for NCAA Tournament

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.