ERNIE JOHNSON, JR. Biography

TURNER SPORTS

Since 2011, he has served as a studio host for Turner and CBS’s NCAA March Madness Division I Men’s Basketball Championship coverage.

Johnson has served as a play-by-play announcer for TBS’s live coverage of the MLB regular season and Postseason since 2010, which has included the Wild Card Game, Division Series and League Championship Series. Johnson was TBS’s studio host for the network’s MLB Postseason coverage from 2007-09 and was the studio host of TBS’ exclusive coverage of the MLB All-Star Selection Show from 2007-09.

From 1995-2018, Johnson served as host and hole-by-hole announcer for TNT’s coverage of professional golf, including the PGA Championship, The Open Championship, President’s Cup and the PGA Grand Slam of Golf.

From 2001-05 Johnson hosted TBS Saturday Night College Football. He was also the studio/on-site host for TNT’s NFL coverage from 1990-96.

Additionally, he has hosted TNT’s coverage of Wimbledon (2000-02), worked two Winter Olympic Games (1994 and 92) and three Goodwill Games (2001, 1998 and 94).

CAREER

Johnson called Atlanta Braves games on SportsSouth from 1993-96 with his dad, Ernie Johnson, Sr.

He began his career, while attending the University of Georgia, as news and sports director for WAGQ- FM, Athens, Ga. (1977-78). Following graduation, Johnson joined WMAZ-TV, Macon, Ga. as news anchor (1979-81). In 1981, he served as news reporter for WSPA-TV, Spartanburg, S.C. and from 1983-89 he worked for WSB-TV in Atlanta as a weekend sports anchor and reporter.

PERSONAL

In 2017, Johnson authored his first book – the NY Times bestseller – Unscripted: The Unpredictable Moments that Make Life Extraordinary.

A 1978 graduate of the University of Georgia, Johnson has been honored by his alma mater with the John Holiman Award for Liftetime Achievement by the university’s Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication, as well as the Bill Hartman award, presented to a former UGA student-athlete for excellence in their profession for at least 20 years following graduation.

Johnson delivered the commencement address at Sanford Stadium for the University of Georgia graduating class of 2017.

Johnson was recognized with a Musial Award, presented in honor of Stan Musial’s legacy by celebrating iconic “good sports” and the year’s greatest moments in sportsmanship in 2015.

Johnson was the recipient of a Sports Emmy® for Best Studio Host/Personality in 2018, 2014, 2006 and 2001. With Johnson at the helm, TNT’s Inside the NBA has won four Emmy® Awards for – Daily. Johnson was also awarded the 1989 Georgia-area Emmy® for Outstanding October 2019

Achievement – Television News Excellence/Sports Reporting and received a prestigious Georgia Associated Press Award for sports reporting in 1988. In 1984, he received a United Press International Award for Sportscasting.

In 2007, Johnson was presented with the first-ever honorary “John Wooden Keys to Life Award,” presented by Athletes in Action, which is awarded to individuals who exemplify Wooden’s “Seven Keys to Life” including character, integrity and faith.

October 2019