History of Ernie Johnson Jr. in Timeline

Ernie Johnson Jr. is a prominent American sportscaster, primarily known for his work with TNT Sports. He serves as a studio host for Inside the NBA on TNT and NBA TV, providing insightful commentary and analysis. Additionally, he's the television voice for Major League Baseball on TBS and contributes to the NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament coverage for TNT Sports and CBS Sports. Following in his father Ernie Johnson Sr.'s footsteps, a former MLB pitcher and Braves announcer, Johnson Jr. has established himself as a respected and recognizable figure in 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 an American sportscaster for TNT Sports.

1956: Birth in Milwaukee, Wisconsin

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

1964: Family Move to Atlanta

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

1974: Graduation from Marist School

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

1978: University Graduation

In 1978, Ernie Johnson Jr. graduated summa cum laude from the University of Georgia with a Bachelor of Arts degree 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 as a 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. started 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 at WSB-TV.

1989: Joins Turner Sports

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

1990: Studio Host for NFL Coverage

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

1990: Hosts Inside the NBA

In 1990, Ernie Johnson Jr. began hosting Inside the NBA for TNT, including pregame and halftime shows, and the postgame studio show.

1992: Winter Olympics duties

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

1993: Calling Braves Games

In 1993, Ernie Johnson Jr. began calling Atlanta Braves baseball games for SportSouth (now FanDuel Sports Network South) with his father, Ernie Johnson Sr.

1994: Goodwill Games duties

In 1994, Ernie Johnson Jr. held various duties at the Goodwill Games, as well as the 1994 Winter Olympics in Lillehammer.

1996: End of Braves Games Commentary

In 1996, Ernie Johnson Jr. stopped calling Atlanta Braves baseball games for SportSouth (now FanDuel Sports Network South) with his father.

1997: End as Studio Host for NFL Coverage

In 1997, Ernie Johnson Jr.'s tenure as the studio host for TNT's National Football League coverage ended.

1998: Goodwill Games duties

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

2000: Studio Host for Wimbledon

From 2000, Ernie Johnson Jr. was the studio host for The Championships, Wimbledon, on TNT.

2001: Goodwill Games duties

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

2002: Sports Emmy Award

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

2002: End as Studio Host for Wimbledon

In 2002, Ernie Johnson Jr.'s tenure as the studio host for The Championships, Wimbledon, on TNT ended.

2003: Diagnosis of Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma

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

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

For the 2005-06 season, Intel Centrino and Suzuki sponsored Ernie Johnson Jr.'s "E.J.'s Neat-O Stat of the Night" segments on Inside the NBA.

June 2006: Begins Treatment for 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: Return to Inside the NBA

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

2006: Second Sports Emmy Award

In 2006, Ernie Johnson Jr. won his second Sports Emmy Award for Outstanding Sports Personality, Studio Host.

2007: Studio Host for TBS's MLB Coverage

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

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

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

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

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

2009: End of Studio Host for TBS MLB Coverage

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

2010: Lead Broadcaster for TBS Playoff Coverage

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

2012: Guest Appearances on Inside the NBA

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

2014: Joins NBA 2K franchise

From 2014, Ernie Johnson Jr. is a sportscaster on the NBA 2K franchise.

January 2015: Sports Emmy Award

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: Discussing 2016 U.S. Presidential Election

On November 10, 2016, Ernie Johnson Jr. and co-hosts discussed the 2016 U.S. presidential election on Inside the NBA. Johnson revealed he wrote 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: Diagnosis of Blood Clots

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

2020: Returns 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.