Helena Frye
Ernie Johnson Jr., also known as E.J., was the studio host for TNT's coverage of the NBA, including the pregame and halftime shows, and the network's famous postgame studio show Inside the NBA. Johnson had hosted the show since 1990 and was a popular figure among fans. In 2025, Johnson and the Inside the NBA crew bid an emotional farewell to TNT after a 35-year run, as the show moved to ESPN and ABC for the next season. Johnson delivered a heartfelt speech, expressing gratitude for his time with TNT and the show's impact on the league. Johnson's health has also been a concern at times, with a diagnosis of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma in 2003 and blood clots in 2018, which have caused him to miss some broadcasts.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Ernie Johnson Jr. |
| Nickname | E.J. |
| Profession | Studio host for TNT's coverage of the NBA, including pregame and halftime shows |
| Known for | Being the host of "Inside the NBA" since 1990 |
| Awards | Six-time Sports Emmy Award winner – Outstanding Sports Personality, Studio Host |
| Health issues | Diagnosed with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma in 2003 |
| Diagnosed with blood clots in both legs in 2018 | |
| Notable moments | Gave a heartfelt speech during the final regular-season episode of "Inside the NBA" on TNT |
| Was honored by his studio partners, leading to a standing ovation | |
| Presented "E.J.'s Neat-O Stat of the Night" during his shows |
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What You'll Learn
Ernie Johnson Jr.'s career on TNT basketball
Ernie Johnson Jr. has been a prominent figure in sports broadcasting for several decades. Known as "EJ", Johnson worked as the studio host for TNT's coverage of the NBA, including pregame and halftime shows, and the network's famous postgame studio show, "Inside the NBA", which aired after each NBA doubleheader. Johnson has hosted the show since 1990, and over the years, he has been joined by former NBA stars like Kenny Smith, Charles Barkley, Shaquille O'Neal, Chris Webber, Grant Hill, and Reggie Miller.
At the end of each broadcast, Johnson presents "EJ's Neat-O Stat of the Night", a popular segment that was initially unsponsored but later gained sponsors like vitaminwater, Panasonic, Intel Centrino, Suzuki, and Geico. Johnson's work on "Inside the NBA" has been widely recognized, with the show winning nineteen Sports Emmy Awards. In 2002, Johnson himself was a co-winner of the Sports Emmy for Outstanding Sports Personality, Studio Host, and he went on to win the award several more times.
In addition to his work on "Inside the NBA", Johnson has also contributed to other sports broadcasts. He has served as the play-by-play announcer for TNT's PGA Tour coverage and has worked on TBS's coverage of college football and Major League Baseball. Johnson has also been a sportscaster on the NBA 2K franchise since 2014.
Johnson's career has not been without challenges. In 2003, he was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma but continued working through June 2006, when he began treatment. Due to his cancer, he missed TNT's coverage of major golf tournaments in 2006 but returned to "Inside the NBA" in October of that year while continuing chemotherapy. In 2018, Johnson faced another setback when he announced that he would not be part of the MLB postseason on TBS due to blood clots in both of his legs, which affected his ability to travel by air.
Despite these difficulties, Johnson's impact on sports broadcasting, particularly with "Inside the NBA" on TNT, has been significant. In October 2022, he signed a long-term contract extension with Warner Bros. Discovery Sports to continue as a host on "Inside the NBA". While the show has moved from TNT to ESPN and ABC, Johnson remains a pivotal part of the broadcast team, and his contributions have helped shape the landscape of sports broadcasting.
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Johnson's emotional farewell to TNT
Ernie Johnson Jr., also known as "E.J.", has been a fixture of the NBA on TNT for almost four decades. Johnson was the studio host for TNT's coverage of the NBA, including pregame and halftime shows, and the network's famous postgame studio show "Inside the NBA". Johnson has hosted the show since 1990, and over the years, his segments have been sponsored by brands like Intel Centrino, Suzuki, vitaminwater, Panasonic, and Geico.
On June 1, 2025, Johnson bid an emotional farewell to the NBA on TNT era. The show was moving to ESPN and ABC for the next season, and while Johnson and his co-hosts, Shaquille O'Neal, Kenny Smith, and Charles Barkley, would remain together, the final TNT sign-off was an emotional one. Johnson, known for his empathy and humanity, could barely get the words out as he said his goodbyes.
During the final broadcast, Johnson reflected on the nearly 35-year run of "Inside the NBA" on TNT and the exemplary work of the production crew, many of whom had moved on to jobs with NBC and Amazon. He also acknowledged the impact of the show and its crew on the NBA and Turner Sports, with O'Neal echoing similar sentiments during the final broadcast, stating, "Even though the name changes, the engine is still the same. And to that new network we're coming to, we're not coming to (expletive) around. ... We're taking over, OK? I love you guys and I appreciate you guys."
The emotional farewell was not just felt by Johnson and his crew but also by viewers and fans of the show, who took to social media and online forums to express their sadness and reflect on the impact the show had on their lives as NBA fans. Johnson's legacy as a pioneer and leader in sports broadcasting, particularly in the world of basketball, was also highlighted and celebrated.
While Johnson's time on TNT's "Inside the NBA" came to a close, he continued his work in sports broadcasting. In October 2022, he signed a long-term contract extension with Warner Bros. Discovery Sports to continue as a host on "Inside the NBA". Additionally, Johnson hosts other sports shows on sister stations, including "Tuesday Fan Night" on NBA TV and serves as the play-by-play announcer for TNT's PGA Tour coverage.
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Johnson's health issues
Ernie Johnson Jr., the studio host for TNT's coverage of the NBA, has faced several health issues throughout his career. In 2003, Johnson was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, a type of cancer. Despite his diagnosis, he continued working until June 2006 when he began treatment. Due to his cancer treatment, Johnson missed TNT's coverage of major golf tournaments in 2006. However, he returned to "Inside the NBA" on October 31, 2006, while still undergoing chemotherapy.
In October 2018, Johnson announced that he would be stepping away from the 2018 MLB postseason on TBS due to another health issue. He had been diagnosed with blood clots in both of his legs, which affected his ability to travel by air.
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Johnson's work on TNT beyond basketball
Ernie Johnson Jr., known as "E.J.", is a well-respected and beloved figure in sports broadcasting, particularly for his work on TNT's coverage of the NBA. Johnson's work extended beyond basketball, and he has contributed significantly to various sports programmes and events.
Johnson has been the studio host for TNT's NBA coverage since 1990, including pregame and halftime shows, as well as the famous postgame studio show "Inside the NBA". He presents "E.J.'s Neat-O Stat of the Night", a popular segment during his broadcasts. Johnson's work on "Inside the NBA" has been so impactful that he was credited with being the first domino and the leader in welcoming and highlighting his co-hosts, creating the show's success and chemistry.
Beyond basketball, Johnson has also been involved in other sports broadcasts. He has worked as the play-by-play announcer for TNT's PGA Tour coverage and has covered major golf tournaments such as the British Open and the PGA Championship. Johnson has also hosted Tuesday Fan Night on NBA TV and moderated the basketball panel show "Open Court". Additionally, he has experience as a sportscaster on video games like "NBA Live 98" and the "NBA 2K" franchise.
Johnson's versatility as a broadcaster is further demonstrated by his work on other sports networks and events. He has been the studio host for TBS's coverage of college football and MLB games. Johnson also covered the 1990 FIFA World Cup, the 1992 and 1994 Winter Olympics for CBS/TNT, and has been the lead studio host for the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament on CBS/TBS/TNT/TruTV since 2011.
Johnson's contributions to sports broadcasting have been recognised with multiple awards. He is a six-time Sports Emmy Award winner for Outstanding Sports Personality, Studio Host. Despite facing health challenges, including a diagnosis of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma in 2003 and blood clots in 2018, Johnson has persevered and continued to deliver exceptional work. In October 2022, he signed a long-term contract extension with Warner Bros. Discovery Sports to continue as a host on "Inside the NBA".
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Johnson's legacy on TNT basketball
Ernie Johnson Jr., known as "E.J.", has been a fixture of TNT basketball for almost four decades. He has been the studio host for TNT's coverage of the NBA since 1990, including pregame and halftime shows, and the famous postgame studio show "Inside the NBA". Johnson is also joined by former NBA stars like Kenny Smith, Charles Barkley, and Shaquille O'Neal.
At the end of each broadcast, Johnson presents "E.J.'s Neat-O Stat of the Night", a popular segment that has been sponsored by various brands over the years. Johnson has also worked as a play-by-play announcer for TNT's PGA Tour coverage and as a studio host for TBS's college football coverage. In addition to his work on TNT, Johnson has hosted shows on sister stations like NBA TV and has been a sportscaster for video games like "NBA Live 98" and the "NBA 2K" franchise.
Johnson's dedication to his work is admirable, especially considering his health struggles. In 2003, he was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma but continued working through June 2006 before beginning treatment. He returned to "Inside the NBA" in October 2006 while undergoing chemotherapy. In 2018, Johnson was again sidelined due to blood clots in both of his legs, which affected his ability to travel by air.
Johnson's impact on TNT basketball is undeniable. He was described as the "first domino and the leader" who welcomed and highlighted the other members of the show, contributing to its success and chemistry. Johnson was also credited as the most important Turner Sports employee for basketball, helping to make the network a powerhouse during the cable TV era.
In June 2025, Johnson and his colleagues bid an emotional farewell to "Inside the NBA" on TNT, as the show moved to ESPN and ABC for the next season. Johnson's final sign-off reflected his longstanding association with the network: "I'm proud to say for the last time, 'Thanks for watching us. It's the NBA on TNT.'" Johnson's legacy on TNT basketball is that of a beloved and respected figure who left an indelible mark on sports broadcasting.
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Frequently asked questions
Ernie Johnson Jr. bid an emotional farewell to TNT after a 35-year run hosting 'Inside the NBA'. The show moved to ESPN and ABC for the next season.
Ernie left TNT due to the show 'Inside the NBA' moving networks. The NBA and WB reached an agreement to license the show to ESPN.
No, Ernie left TNT due to the show moving networks. However, he has faced health issues in the past, including a diagnosis of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma in 2003 and blood clots in 2018.
