Sports Broadcasters Command Millions in Salaries, With Stephen A. Smith Leading the Pack
A review of top earners in sports media reveals substantial annual incomes for former athletes and commentators, with Stephen A. Smith at the top.
Several prominent figures in sports broadcasting, including former athletes and long-time commentators, are earning millions annually for their on-air roles. Stephen A. Smith, Tom Brady, and Pat McAfee are among the highest-paid, drawing substantial salaries for their analysis and commentary.
Stephen A. Smith reportedly leads the field with an annual income of approximately $40 million. This figure is bolstered by a recent five-year, $105 million deal with ESPN, alongside a separate three-year, $36 million contract with SiriusXM Radio. His earnings are further supplemented by revenue from his YouTube channel and podcast.
Tom Brady, the former NFL quarterback, ranks second, earning $37.5 million annually. Brady, who retired from the NFL in 2023, secured a significant 10-year, $375 million deal with Fox in 2022.
Pat McAfee is positioned as the third highest-paid sports media personality, with an annual salary of around $30 million for his show on ESPN. "The Pat McAfee Show" host transitioned to sports media after his career.
Charles Barkley commands approximately $21 million annually for his role. The former NBA star, who joined "Inside the NBA" in 2000, reportedly has a contract valued at $210 million.
Former NFL quarterback Tony Romo, along with Troy Aikman and Joe Buck, each earn an estimated $18 million annually. These three are tied for the next tier of high earners.
Kirk Herbstreit secures the eighth spot with an annual income of $16 million. Herbstreit, a former college football player, gained prominence as an analyst for ESPN's "College GameDay" and also calls college football games for ABC and NFL games on Thursday nights.
Al Michaels and Shaquille O'Neal are tied at the lower end of the top 10 earners, each making about $15 million per year. Michaels, 81, has had a career spanning over five decades with networks including CBS, NBC, and ABC, and currently calls Thursday night football games for Amazon. O'Neal, 54, joined TNT Sports after retiring from the NBA in 2011 and recently signed a contract extension reportedly worth $15 million annually.