Sports Commentator Ernie Johnson Jr.’s Ethnicity Reflects A Deep Swedish-American Heritage That Traces Back To the Early 1900s

Ernie Johnson Jr.’s ethnicity is often misunderstood, but his family history clearly shows Swedish-American ancestry.

Ernest Thorwald Johnson Jr., born August 7, 1956, stands as one of America’s most recognizable sportscasters, commanding respect across multiple sports platforms.

Johnson serves as the television voice and studio host for Major League Baseball on TBS while anchoring the legendary Inside the NBA show that has captivated basketball fans for decades.

His broadcasting excellence extends to hosting coverage of the NCAA Division I men’s basketball tournament for TNT Sports and CBS Sports, showcasing his versatility across different sporting events.

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Johnson’s career trajectory began during his college years at the University of Georgia, where he worked as news and sports director for radio station WAGQ-FM in Athens.

After graduating summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts in journalism in 1978, he progressed through various television stations, including WMAZ-TV in Macon and WSB-TV in Atlanta.

His big break came in 1989 when Turner Sports recruited him, leading to his iconic role hosting Inside the NBA since 1990.

Johnson has earned three Sports Emmy Awards for Outstanding Sports Personality and Studio Host, cementing his status as broadcasting royalty.

His signature style, featuring bow ties and sneakers, has become synonymous with professional sports commentary excellence.

Ernie Johnson Jr. Clears Up Ethnicity Confusion With Humor

Ernie Johnson Jr. possesses a distinctly American heritage with strong Swedish roots that trace back to the early 1900s.

His ethnic background reflects the classic American immigrant story, combining Swedish ancestry with deep American roots spanning multiple generations.

Johnson’s paternal lineage reveals his Swedish-American heritage through his father, Ernie Johnson Sr., who was a Major League Baseball pitcher and later became an Atlanta Braves announcer.

The Swedish connection runs deep in the Johnson family tree, with Ernie Jr.’s paternal grandparents being Swedish nationals who emigrated to America during the early 20th century.

Remembering Ernie Johnson, Sr. who was born on this date in 1924. pic.twitter.com/nZwIS9yd8B

— Braves on TBS (@BravesOnWTBS) June 16, 2024

His grandfather, Thorwald Johnson, and grandmother, Alina “Inkie” Ingeborg Johnson, made the transatlantic journey from Sweden and established themselves in Brattleboro, Vermont, where they raised their family and where Johnson Sr. was born.

The maternal side of Johnson’s family presents a contrasting but equally American story.

His mother, Lois Denhard Johnson, was born and raised in Chicago, Illinois, representing native-born American stock.

Lois’s parents were also Chicago natives, establishing a multi-generational American presence on the maternal side that complements the Swedish immigrant heritage from his father’s line.

This ethnic composition makes Ernie Johnson Jr. definitely Caucasian with Swedish ancestry, contradicting persistent online speculation about his racial identity.

"It amazes me that the whitest dude we know, people think he's Black" 😂

Ernie even has the AI fooled 🤖 pic.twitter.com/FdEIzUUBkY

— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) May 31, 2025

The confusion about Johnson’s ethnicity has become something of a running joke on Inside the NBA, where his colleagues frequently reference the misconception.

Charles Barkley, his longtime co-host, often jokes about people’s confusion regarding Johnson’s race, famously stating that Johnson represents “the whitest dude” he knows, pointing to Johnson’s bird-watching hobby as evidence of his quintessentially suburban American lifestyle.

The ethnic speculation reached a pinnacle when Google’s AI overview incorrectly identified Johnson as being of African American descent, creating viral moments during TNT broadcasts.

Johnson himself has addressed these misconceptions with characteristic humor, once telling viewers to look at him on camera and determine his race for themselves before cutting to commercial break.

This playful approach to addressing his ethnic identity demonstrates Johnson’s ability to navigate potentially sensitive topics with grace and humor.

In Case You Didn’t Know

• Johnson was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma in 2003 and continued working through treatment until 2006.
• Johnson and his wife Cheryl have six children total – two biological children and four adopted children.
• Johnson is an avid bird watcher who has bird feeders all over his property and enjoys taking pictures of birds, and he owns 90-95 bow ties in his closet after switching from regular ties about a dozen years ago.