Ernie Johnson

Two-time Emmy award-winner Ernie Johnson is in his 22nd year as the studio host for Turner’s NBA telecasts. He hosts TNT’s Emmy award-winning Inside the NBA studio show with analysts Charles Barkley, Shaquille O’Neal and Kenny Smith.

Johnson is also the studio host for NBA TV’s acclaimed Fan Night every Tuesday, working alongside analysts Greg Anthony and Chris Webber. Each week, fans vote on NBA.com for the NBA matchup they most want to see televised on the network the following Tuesday.

During his tenure at Turner, Johnson has served as a game analyst, play-by-play announcer, and studio host for the network’s coverage of Major League Baseball, NFL, the PGA, the British Open, college football, the Wimbledon Championships, the Winter Olympics and the Goodwill Games. He received Emmy Awards as best studio host/personality in 2001 and 2006, and Inside the NBA has received three Emmy Awards as outstanding daily studio show.

Johnson began his career in 1977 as news and sports director for WAGQ-FM in Athens, Ga., while he was attending the University of Georgia. He served as a news anchor, news reporter and sports reporter at several television stations in Georgia before joining Turner Sports. In 2007, Athletes in Action gave Johnson its first “John Wooden Keys to Life Award,” which is presented to individuals who exemplify Wooden’s “Seven Keys to Life,” including character, integrity and faith.