Ernest Thorwald “Ernie” Johnson Jr. was born in August 7, 1956. He is a sports commentator for CBS Sports and Turner sports. Johnson is currently the lead TV voice for NBA for TNT and Major League Baseball on TBS.
Early life and education
Ernest Johnson has started his career in the year 1977 though he was still studying in the University of Georgia. He first joined in the radio station WAGQ-FM which is at Athens in Georgia. He continued with this job till the year 1978. He started his career in broadcasting at WMAZ-TV. There he started working as news anchor and continues with his stint till 1981. When he moved to South Carolina, he worked as a news reporter and again he came back to Georgia in the year 1982. When he came back to Georgia in the year 1982, he worked as a general assignment news reporter and in the year 1983 he became a sports reporter and anchor in the year 1983. In the year 1989, he left his job and joined the Turner Sports channel.
Johnson also features in play by play announcer for the PGA tour along with his basketball commentary sessions. When he worked at the TBS channel, he worked as a host for the college football. In the year 2002, he was adjudged as the outstanding sports personality for the Sports Emmy awards and he partnered with Bob Costas. In the year he was again selected for this award and he broke the six year long stint of Costas in this award. From the year 2007 to 2009, Johnson and Cal Ripken Jr. worked together for the broadcast of the Major League Basketball in the TBS channel. He was the anchor of the FIFA World Cup in the year 1990 in the TNT’s coverage.
He had some more stints, also as a commentator for the Wimbledon from the year 2000 to the year 2002 and also worked as a commentator from the year 1990 to 1997.
For all shows that are related to NBA, Johnson is assisted by Charles Barkley, Kenny Smith, Shaquille O’Neal and during grand events he was assisted by Grant Hill, Chris Webber or Reggie Miller. Johnson also performs as a host of the Tuesday Fan Night in the NBA TV channel. In that show he was assisted by Greg Anthony and Webber. He often hosts the NBA TV’s show the Open court. This show is hosted by him and a panel of six other analyst of NBA from the house of TNT channel. This show is known for discussing various topics and issues related to the NBA and they also talk about the history records of the NBA. These panelist members are also known to analyze the current days play.
Wife and Children
Ernie Johnson Jr. and wife Cheryl, a licensed career counselor, live with their two biological children and four adopted children in Braselton, Georgia.
Ernie Johnson – Net Worth and Salary
The net worth of this famous sports commentator is $1.5 million. He earns a salary of $300 thousand per year. He is considered as one of the most celebrated sports commentator and play-by- play announcers in the US sportscasting circuit.
Book
He has written an autobiography called ‘Unscripted’.