Quick Info
| Profession | Sportscaster |
|---|---|
| Nationality | American |
| Date of Birth | 07/08/1956 |
| Age | 70 years |
| Birthplace | Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA |
| Zodiac Sign | Leo |
Latest News about Ernie Johnson Jr.
28/10/2026
Ernie Johnson announced in a video posted on social media that the 2026-27 NBA season will be his final one as host of Inside the NBA, after 37 seasons on the show. He said the decision was his own, citing the time demands of preparation and a wish to spend more time with family, and he also disclosed bypass surgery from about 14 months earlier. He confirmed he is not retiring from television, will continue with NCAA March Madness and other TNT and CBS projects, and is launching a production company called 32 Bowties.
Do you like Ernie Johnson Jr.?
You can vote only once.
86% like · 14% dislike
Bio/Wiki
| Full Name | Ernest Thorwald Johnson Jr. |
|---|---|
| Known As | E.J. |
| Summary | American sportscaster known as the studio host of Inside the NBA and as a television voice and studio host for Major League Baseball on TBS. He is also a host for the NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament coverage shared by TNT Sports and CBS Sports. On 28/10/2026 he announced that the 2026-27 season will be his final one hosting Inside the NBA, while he continues with March Madness and other TNT and CBS projects. |
| Podcast | Co-hosts The Steam Room podcast |
Educational Qualification(s)
| Degree | Bachelor of Arts in Journalism |
|---|---|
| Institution | University of Georgia |
Personal Life
| Health | Diagnosed with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma in 2003; had bypass heart surgery around August 2025 |
|---|
Relationships & More
| Spouse | Cheryl Johnson (married 1982) |
|---|
Family
| Father | Ernie Johnson Sr., former Major League Baseball pitcher and Atlanta Braves play-by-play announcer |
|---|---|
| Children | 6 |
| Grandchildren | 5 |
Career
| Early Career | Began in 1977 as news and sports director at WAGQ-FM in Athens, Georgia while a student |
|---|---|
| Television Work | News anchor at WMAZ in Macon, Georgia; reporter in South Carolina; weekend sports anchor and reporter at WSB in Atlanta from 1983 |
| Turner Sports | Joined Turner Sports in 1989 as studio host for TNT's NBA coverage |
| Inside the NBA | Has hosted Inside the NBA since 1990; announced in October 2026 that the 2026-27 season will be his last as host |
| Major League Baseball | Studio host for TBS MLB coverage from 2007 to 2009, then play-by-play lead broadcaster from 2010 |
| Other Work | Play-by-play for TNT's PGA Tour broadcasts and studio host for TBS college football |
| Awards | Multiple Sports Emmy Awards (six-time Sports Emmy winner); inducted into the Broadcasters' Hall of Fame (announced 2023) |
| Books | Unscripted (memoir, released 2017) |
| Production Company | 32 Bowties (launched 2026, focused on feel-good sports stories) |
Some Lesser Known Facts
| 1. Known on air as "E.J." | |
| 2. Worked with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and Athletes in Action outside the studio | |
| 3. Created the segment "E.J.'s Neat-O Stat of the Night" on Inside the NBA | |
| 4. Co-hosted Braves games with his father, Ernie Johnson Sr., for SportSouth from 1993 to 1996 |
Social Media