Ernie Johnson Jr. Net Worth $20 Million

Who is Ernie Johnson Jr.’s net worth?

Ernie Johnson Jr. is an American sportscaster who works for CBS Sports and Turner Sports and has a net worth of $20 million.

Over the years, he has become one of the most beloved and well-known personalities in the industry.

He is a veteran of the Turner Sports Network, hosting NBA coverage on the studio show “Inside the NBA” — an award-winning program that he leads alongside analysts Charles Barkley, Shaquille O’Neal, and Kenny Smith.

Aside from his work on this show, he has also worked as a studio host for TBS and CBS for their Division I Men’s Basketball Championship coverage and as an announcer for organizations like the PGA and MLB.

Before his work in these regards, he’s had the opportunity to cover the activities and games of organizations such as the NFL, the Olympics, the British Open, and Wimbledon.

He also worked alongside his dad, Ernie Johnson Sr. — a former Atlanta Braves announcer and pitcher for the MLB — during the nineties, where they called Atlanta Braves games together.

Over his career, he has won numerous accolades and awards.

These include notable achievements such as winning multiple Emmy and Sports Emmy awards along with winning the Athletes in Action’s honorary John Wooden Keys to Life Award.

The Origin Story

Ernie Johnson Jr. was originally born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, on August 7, 1956.

He spent only a few years of his childhood in his birthplace before they made the move to Atlanta, Georgia.

”We moved to Atlanta when the Braves moved and then the Hawks came to town,” Ernie told GQ.

Johnson grew up around sports throughout the early days of his life.

His father, Ernie Johnson Sr., was a professional American baseball player for the MLB and later a television sports color commentator.

Because of this, Johnson had a firsthand look into both the world of sports itself and the sports journalism industry.

This would go on to influence many of his career and education choices later in life.

After graduating from a private Catholic high school located in Brookhaven, Georgia, Johnson made the decision to complete higher education at the University of Georgia.

He specifically went into the field of journalism, pursuing a degree in journalism and mass communications.

Right from the start, Johnson was able to quickly get his foot in the door with sports broadcasting.

While simultaneously playing first baseman on his college team, he was also serving as the sports and news director for the local WAGQ-FM radio station.

After graduating college, Johnson jumped around to several different stations where he continued to do sportscasting.

This also included several general newscast positions that he would hold until 1989, when he started his first foray into sportscasting on a larger level with Turner Sports.

The Big Leagues

In 1990, Johnson first began working as a studio host for TNT, where he covered NBA games during pregame and halftime.

Also, it was during this time period that he first became a part of the popular “Inside the NBA” postgame studio show.

Over the years, the popularity of his segments, such as “E.J.’s Neat-O Stat of the Night,” on the show has attracted several big-name sponsors.

These include the likes of Geico, Vitaminwater, Suzuki, and Intel Centrino.

On the program, Johnson is often joined by his co-hosts Kenny Smith, Charles Barkley, and Shaquille O’Neal.

Occasionally, they also include guests such as Reggie Miller, Grant Hill, and Chris Webber.

Along with his work on “Inside the NBA,” Johnson can also be seen on NBA TV, where he hosts the program Tuesday Fan Night with Greg Anthony and Chris Webber.

The show began airing in 2008 and is the flagship program on the sister station.

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Beyond The NBA

Johnson’s popularity as a sports personality and notable figure has often been associated with his work regarding the NBA and basketball.

Despite this, throughout his career he has been involved with numerous different organizations and sports that have given him the opportunity to connect with a wide range of fans.

He has been a play-by-play announcer for PGA tournaments and MLB games while also providing coverage for several major college football games.

These appearances, along with his long-standing presence on NBA-related shows, have led him to be the recipient of multiple Emmys and other notable awards that have recognized him for his work.

Johnson has also made his way into being an author, releasing a book entitled “Unscripted: the unpredictable moments that make life extraordinary.”

The book takes readers behind the scenes of his life, sharing stories involving both his personal experiences with problems such as non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma while also including more positive stories involving things such as his hosting jobs. Note – Ernie overcame Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma in 2006.

As well as mentions of his family, the book contains words and stories from his co-hosts like Shaq and Charles Barkley.

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Wife

Johnson is currently married to his wife, Cheryl Johnson, a professionally licensed counselor. Together, the two live in Braselton, Georgia, along with their six children (four of whom are adopted, while the other two are biological).

The two have been married since 1982.

Net Worth 2024

So, how much is Ernie Johnson Jr. worth? Johnson’s main source of income comes from his job as host of the “Inside the NBA” along with his other sportscasting positions, where he is paid an annual salary of around $5 million. Therefore, American sportscaster Ernie Johnson Jr. has an estimated net worth of $20 million.

Ernie has also made money from partnering with brands such as Vitaminwater that advertise on the show and through projects such as book deals.  

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