Ernie Johnson Jr.

“The greatest joy I had in journalism classes was when our professors would bring in people who were actually  doing what I wanted to do for a living.” Ernie Johnson Jr. wants to give more people the opportunity to experience those informational days. 

For the inaugural episode of E.J. 's Game Plan is Ernie’s livestream from March 24, 2020. E.J. talks about the Game Plan, at the time just a series of scheduled live streams. He fields questions from viewers and talks about critiquing your work to become better, making the jump from local to national broadcast, work-life balance, making connections, and much more.

Time Stamps

0:56-4:16: Intro

4:16-6:25: How do you make yourself marketable as a sports broadcaster?

6:46-13:11: How E.J. got started in sports media, and how he got a job out of college, and how to critique your own work. 

14:04-16:05: E.J. talks about the people that help you get your shot “There are gonna be people who change the course of your career.”

16:06-18:50: The importance of writing, even for people that work in video or audio.  

18:50-22:10: Why do entry level candidates have a hard time finding a job?

22:10-25:35: What was the transition like from small to large market? What was the main thing you had to change?

25:45-28:02: What’s the best advice for creating a reel? What should I emphasize? 

28:02-29:05 : College suggestions for sports media.

29:05-31:38: How hard is it to balance family life and work life with such a hectic schedule?

31:40-33:45: What's the most important part of a question when doing an interview?

33:45-37:17: Separating yourself from your team allegiances as a sports journalist.

37:18-41:16: How did your first show at Turner go?

41:17-43:57: Is it better to start at a local station or digital?

44:00-47:25: What advice do you have for college students?

47:26-49:45: Any advice for going from local to national broadcast?

49:48-52:55: What should I do as a high schooler?

52:56-55:00: Is there ever a time to say no to an assignment or job offer?

55:03-57:21: What’s the best advice you were given when getting started in broadcast?

57:21-58:15: How many years of college do you recommend for sports media journalism?

58:17-1:00:28: When did you start getting comfortable with your job?

1:00:28-1:01:47: Did you ever cover Kenny or Shaq as a reporter?

1:01:48-1:04:21: How important is it to like the people you work with?

1:04:21-1:06:10: How often do you have a wrap in your ear on a show? 

1:06:11-1:07:37: Without games to call, or work to do, how do you improve?

1:07:38-1:10:08: Any tips for live shots?

1:10:09-1:11:09: What kept you from becoming discouraged when you just started out?

1:11:10-1:12:45: How to get involved without connections?