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Top 10 Highest Paid Sports Commentators In The World (2023)
In this article, we’ll take a look at the top 10 highest paid sports commentators in the world. Sports commentators are the voices behind some of the most exciting moments in sporting history.
Their job is to provide insight and analysis, while keeping us entertained and engaged in the action. However, not all sports commentators are created equal, and some are paid much more than others for their talents.
From football to basketball, tennis to boxing, these commentators have made a name for themselves as experts in their field. They bring their unique personalities and perspectives to every match, and their voices have become synonymous with the sports they cover.
But what sets them apart is their ability to keep us on the edge of our seats, whether we’re watching at home or in the stadium. So, without further ado, let’s take a closer look at the top 10 highest paid sports commentators in the world.
Top 10 Highest Paid Sports Commentators
The table below contains the names and annual salary of the highest paid sports commentators in the world.
Rank | Name | Network | Sport | Annual Salary (£) |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Tom Brady | Fox Sports | American Football | $375 million |
2 | Tony Romo | CBS Sports | American Football/Baseball | $18 million |
3 | Jim Nantz | CBS Sports | Golf/Football | £7 million |
4 | Al Michaels | NBC Sports | Football | £6 million |
5 | Mike Tirico | NBC Sports | Football/Olympics | £5.5 million |
6 | Jon Gruden | ESPN | American Football | £5 million |
7 | Chris Collinsworth | NBC Sports | American Football | £4.5 million |
8 | Mike Breen | ESPN/ABC | Basketball | £4 million |
9 | Stephen A. Smith | ESPN | Various | £3.5 million |
10 | Shaquille O’Neal | TNT | Basketball | £3 million |
Tom Brady is the highest paid sport commentator in the world. His 10-year contract with Fox Sports is one of the biggest deals in the history of sports broadcasting, and it solidifies his position as one of the most sought-after broadcasters in the industry.
He played for the New England Patriots for 20 seasons before joining the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for the 2020 season. During his career, he won a record seven Super Bowl championships and was named the Super Bowl Most Valuable Player (MVP) five times.
While Tom Brady is highest paid sport commentator in the world., he is still one of the highest paid athletes in the world. According to Forbes, Brady’s total earnings in 2021 were $76 million, making him the highest paid NFL player that year.
His earnings came from endorsement deals with companies such as Under Armour, IWC Schaffhausen, and cryptocurrency platform FTX, as well as his salary from the NFL. Brady’s success on the field and off has made him a cultural icon and one of the most recognizable faces in sports.
2. Tony Romo
Tony Romo is a retired American football quarterback who played for the Dallas Cowboys for 14 seasons before retiring in 2017. After retiring from football, he transitioned into a career as a sports commentator, joining CBS Sports as their lead color analyst for NFL games.
Romo’s insight and ability to predict plays has made him one of the most popular and respected commentators in the industry. In addition to his success on the field and in the commentator’s booth, Romo has also made a considerable amount of money. In 2020, Forbes named him the highest paid sports commentator in the world, with an estimated annual salary of $17 million.
His salary is a testament to his popularity and talent as a commentator, and he is considered a valuable asset to CBS Sports’ NFL coverage. He is one of the top 10 highest paid sport commentator in the world.
3. Troy Aikman
Troy Aikman is a former American football quarterback who played for the Dallas Cowboys in the National Football League (NFL). He was a dominant force in the 1990s, leading the Cowboys to three Super Bowl victories in four years.
After retiring from football in 2001, Aikman became a successful sports commentator, and is now one of the highest-paid sports broadcasters in the world. He currently serves as a lead analyst for NFL games on Fox Sports, and also appears on other programs such as “The Herd with Colin Cowherd” and “Undisputed.”
Aikman’s success as a sports commentator can be attributed to his extensive knowledge of football, as well as his ability to articulate his thoughts and analysis in an engaging and insightful way.
He has won multiple Emmy Awards for his work as a commentator, and is widely respected in the industry for his expertise and professionalism. Aikman’s popularity among viewers has also led to numerous endorsement deals, further adding to his already impressive net worth.
4. Al Michaels
Al Michaels is a well-known American sports broadcaster, best known for his work in the National Football League (NFL). He has been working in the industry for over 50 years and is widely considered to be one of the most accomplished sports commentators of all time.
Michaels is particularly known for his smooth and engaging play-by-play commentary, which has earned him a loyal following among sports fans around the world.
Throughout his career, Michaels has covered a wide range of sports, including football, baseball, basketball, and even the Olympics. He has been the play-by-play voice for multiple Super Bowls, World Series, and NBA Finals, and has won numerous awards for his work, including multiple Emmy Awards.
Michaels’ extensive experience and expertise in sports broadcasting, combined with his natural charisma and engaging personality, have made him one of the highest-paid sports commentators in the world today.
5. Mike Tirico
Mike Tirico is a well-known American sportscaster who has worked for various television networks, including ESPN, ABC, and NBC. He has covered a wide range of sports over the course of his career, including football, basketball, golf, tennis, and the Olympics.
Tirico is particularly known for his engaging and knowledgeable commentary, as well as his ability to seamlessly transition between different sports and events.
Tirico has received numerous awards and accolades for his work in sports broadcasting, including multiple Emmy Awards. He has been the lead play-by-play commentator for various high-profile events, including the Super Bowl, the NBA Finals, and the Olympics.
His extensive knowledge of sports, combined with his ability to connect with audiences, has made him one of the top 10 highest-paid sports commentators in the world today. He continues to be a respected and sought-after voice in the world of sports broadcasting.
6. Jon Gruden
Jon Gruden is a former American football coach and current sports commentator. He first rose to prominence as the head coach of the Oakland Raiders and Tampa Bay Buccaneers, leading the Buccaneers to a Super Bowl victory in 2003.
After leaving coaching, Gruden transitioned into broadcasting, becoming a color commentator for ESPN’s Monday Night Football.
Gruden’s charismatic personality and in-depth knowledge of the game have made him a popular and highly-regarded sports commentator. He has a unique ability to break down plays and provide insights into the strategy and tactics used by coaches and players.
In addition to his work on Monday Night Football, Gruden has also been a commentator for other NFL events, including the NFL Draft and the Pro Bowl. His popularity and expertise have helped make him one of the highest-paid sports commentators in the world today.
7. Chris Collinsworth
Chris Collinsworth is a former American football player and current sports commentator. He played as a wide receiver for the Cincinnati Bengals for eight seasons, earning a reputation as a skilled and reliable player. After retiring from football, Collinsworth transitioned into broadcasting, first as a local sports anchor before moving on to national coverage.
Collinsworth is best known for his work as a color commentator on NBC’s Sunday Night Football. His insightful commentary and ability to break down plays have made him a fan favorite and a respected voice in the world of sports broadcasting.
He is also known for his work on other NFL events, including the Super Bowl and the Pro Bowl, as well as his coverage of other sports, such as the Olympics and Notre Dame football. His talent and popularity have helped make him one of the top 10 highest-paid sports commentators in the world.
8. Mike Breen
Mike Breen is an American sports commentator who is best known for his work as the play-by-play announcer for the National Basketball Association (NBA) games on ESPN and ABC.
He has been with the NBA since 2003 and has called numerous games including the NBA Finals, All-Star Games, and the Olympics. Breen’s ability to deliver exciting and energetic play-by-play commentary has made him a fan favorite and one of the most recognizable voices in sports broadcasting.
In addition to his work with the NBA, Breen has also called games for other sports such as college basketball, the WNBA, and the New York Knicks. He has received numerous awards for his work, including six Emmy Awards for Outstanding Sports Personality.
Breen’s talent, professionalism, and versatility have helped make him one of the highest-paid sports commentators in the world, and he continues to be a beloved figure in the sports broadcasting industry.
9. Stephen A. Smith
Stephen A. Smith is a popular American sports media personality known for his work as a television host, sports journalist, and commentator. He is best known for his role as a commentator and analyst on ESPN’s First Take, where he shares his opinions and insights on the latest news in the world of sports. Smith is known for his passionate and outspoken style of commentary, which has made him a popular figure among sports fans.
Aside from his work on First Take, Smith has also hosted his own radio show and appeared on various other ESPN programs, such as SportsCenter and NBA Countdown.
He has covered a wide range of sports, including basketball, football, and boxing, and has interviewed some of the biggest names in the sports world. Smith has received numerous awards for his work, including multiple Emmys for Outstanding Sports Personality, and he continues to be one of the top 10 highest-paid sports broadcasters in the world.
10. Shaquille O’Neal
Shaquille O’Neal is a retired American professional basketball player who is now a sports analyst and commentator. He played for 19 seasons in the National Basketball Association (NBA) and won four NBA championships during his career.
After retiring from basketball, O’Neal transitioned into the media world and has become a popular commentator and analyst on various sports programs.
O’Neal is known for his humor and larger-than-life personality, which have made him a fan favorite in the sports media world. He has worked for TNT as an analyst for NBA games, as well as for other networks such as ESPN and NBA TV.
Shaquille O’Neal has also hosted his own shows, including Shaqtin’ a Fool, which highlights the funniest and most embarrassing moments in NBA games.
He has received numerous awards for his work, including an Emmy for Outstanding Sports Personality and induction into the Basketball Hall of Fame. O’Neal is widely considered one of the most entertaining and insightful sports commentators in the world.
Who Is The Highest Paid Sport Commentator.
The highest paid sport commentator in the world is Tom Brady. It would have been Tony Romo but Tom Brady has already signed a 10-year, $375 million deal with Fox Sports, so the network isn’t hanging around until he retires.
Brady will become a lead NFL analyst on-air, but the contract won’t start until he’s done playing. The highest-paid sports broadcaster in history, Brady will make $37.5 million a year as a commentator.
Conclusion
In conclusion, being a sports commentator is not only a dream job for sports lovers but also a lucrative career. The top 10 highest-paid sports commentators in the world earn millions of dollars annually, with their exceptional skills and expertise in sports analysis, commentary, and reporting. Their ability to provide insightful and engaging commentary during games has made them a staple in sports entertainment.
It is fascinating to see how much the highest-paid sports broadcasters make, and their ability to influence the way we perceive sports. They have established themselves as authorities in their fields, and their insights are highly regarded by sports enthusiasts around the world.
With sports becoming a bigger business every year, it is likely that we will continue to see these commentators at the top of their game, earning top salaries for their unparalleled skills and talent.
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SOURCES: Rookie Road,