Revealed! Top 10 highest-paid sports analysts in the world right now

Revealed! Top 10 highest-paid sports analysts in the world right now

Babu Tendu
updated at April 12, 2023 at 8:27 PM

Sports analysts play a critical role in the world of entertainment. They provide expert analysis, commentary, and insights on everything from player performance to playing strategies. As the popularity of games continues to grow, so does the demand for knowledgeable and experienced analysts. The highest-paid sports analysts are the ones who possess the rare and extraordinary skill of analysis.

Highest paid sports analysts
Many talented sports analysts out there earn outstanding figures. Photo by VALERIE MACON. (Modified by author).
Source: Getty Images

Many of these analysts are paid handsomely for their expertise, with some earning millions of dollars per year. We will look closely at the industry's top 10 highest-paid sports analysts, including their backgrounds, contributions to the culture, and the salaries they command. From former athletes to media personalities, these sports broadcasters are at the top of their game and are highly respected for their insights and expertise.

Who is the highest-paid football analyst?

According to many publications on the internet, there are many highly paid broadcasters. However, in this post, the focus will be on the ones who get crazy amounts just for talking about the game. The highest-paid female sports analyst earns $4.9 million and thus misses the list.

10. Mike Tirico

Mike Tirico's impressive $10.5 million annual salary is a testament to his years of experience and expertise in game broadcasting. As the play-by-play announcer for Sunday Night Football on NBC, Tirico brings viewers the most exciting and memorable moments of each activity.

Highest paid analyst in sports
Mike Tirico hosts the 2022 U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee Hall of Fame Ceremony in Colorado Springs, Colorado, on June 24, 2022. Photo by Ethan Mito.
Source: Getty Images

Tirico's career in game broadcasting began in 1991 with ESPN, where he covered a wide range of activities, including college basketball, football, and the NFL. He quickly became known for his smooth delivery and in-depth knowledge of the pastimes he covered. Over the years, Tirico has worked for many major networks, including ABC, ESPN, and NBC. He is one of the highest-paid black sports analysts.

9. Jim Nantz

Jim Nantz is one of the most recognisable voices in-game broadcasting, and his new contract with CBS solidifies his status as one of the highest-paid analysts in the industry. In 2021, Nantz signed a new deal with CBS to earn up to $10.5 million annually. This puts him in the same league as other top broadcasters, such as Mike Tirico, and is a testament to his years of experience and expertise.

Highest paid sports broadcasters in America
Sportscaster Jim Nantz during a Celebration of Arnold Palmer at Saint Vincent College on October 4, 2016, in Latrobe, Pennsylvania. Photo by Hunter Martin.
Source: Getty Images

Nantz has been with CBS since 1985 and has covered some of the most significant events in pastimes, including the Super Bowl, the Masters, and the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament. His smooth delivery, in-depth knowledge of the games, and ability to connect with viewers have made him one of the most respected and beloved broadcasters in the business. He will be one of the highest-paid sports analysts in 2023.

8. Stephen A. Smith

Stephen A. Smith is a household name in the broadcasting world, known for his no-holds-barred analysis and passionate commentary. As one of the industry's most popular and respected game broadcasters, Smith commands an impressive salary of $12 million annually. According to the New York Post, this includes an $8 million contract with ESPN and a $4 million-per-year production contract with the same company.

Highest paid ESPN sports analysts
Stephen A. Smith speaks onstage during the REVOLT X AT&T Host REVOLT Summit In Los Angeles at Magic Box on October 27, 2019, in Los Angeles, California. Photo by Phillip Faraone.
Source: Getty Images

Smith's rise to fame began in the late 1990s when he started writing for the Philadelphia Inquirer. He later moved into pastime broadcasting, working for several networks, including Fox, CNN, and ESPN. He is the highest-paid NBA sports analyst.

7. Al Michaels

Al Michaels is a legendary figure in-game broadcasting, with a career spanning over five decades. His impressive salary of $15 million annually is a testament to his years of experience and expertise and reflects the high demand for his services. He is one of the highest-paid sports broadcasters in America.

Highest paid sports analysts in 2023
Al Michaels attends the red carpet event for the NHL 100 gala presented by Geico at the Microsoft theatre in Los Angeles on January 27, 2017. Photo by CHRIS DELMAS.
Source: Getty Images

Michaels began his career with ABC in the 1970s, covering various games, including college football and the Olympics. He later became the play-by-play commentator for Monday Night Football, a role that cemented his status as one of the top announcers in the business. After leaving ABC, Michaels joined NBC Sports, where he covered Sunday Night Football for over a decade.

6. Joe Buck

Joe Buck is one of the most recognisable voices in broadcasting, known for his smooth delivery and in-depth knowledge of the games. As the play-by-play announcer for Fox Sports, Buck commands an impressive salary of $15 million per year, making him one of the highest-paid sports analysts in the industry.

Who is the highest paid football analyst
President Barack Obama joins Fox Sports announcers Joe Buck (R) and Tim McCarver (L) in the broadcast booth at the MLB All-Star Game on July 14, 2009, in St. Louis, Missouri. Photo by Pete Souza.
Source: Getty Images

Buck's partnership with former NFL quarterback Troy Aikman has become one of the most iconic duos in-game broadcasting. Together, they bring a level of insight and analysis that is unmatched in the industry and have helped to cement Fox's status as one of the top networks for NFL coverage.

5. Kirk Herbstreit

Kirk Herbstreit is among the industry's most respected and well-known college football broadcasters. As an ESPN commentator, he has become a fixture on the network's coverage of the sport, offering insightful analysis and commentary on some of the year's biggest games. With his impressive salary of around $16.5 million per year, Herbstreit is one of the highest-paid ESPN sports analysts.

Highest paid NBA sports analyst
ESPN College Gameday analyst Kirk Herbstreit before the Rose Bowl game between Stanford and Iowa at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, CA, in January 1, 2016. Photo by Adam Davis.
Source: Getty Images

Herbstreit began his career as a quarterback at Ohio State University, where he played for four years before joining ESPN as a commentator. Over the years, he has become known for his insightful analysis, passion for the game, and unwavering dedication to his craft. His contributions to the college football world have been recognised with numerous awards and accolades, including induction into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2020.

4. Michael Strahan

Michael Strahan is a former NFL player turned television personality who has made a name for himself as one of the industry's most dynamic and engaging broadcasters.

As a co-host on Fox's NFL Sunday pregame show, Strahan commands an impressive salary of $17 million per year, making him one of the highest-paid game broadcasters in the world. He is known for his infectious personality, insightful commentary, and ability to connect with fans from all walks of life.

Highest paid black sports analysts
Michael Strahan, the host of ABC's Good Morning America, speaks during the Exchange ETF Conference in Miami, Florida, U.S., on Wednesday, April 13, 2022. Photo by Eva Marie Uzcategui.
Source: Getty Images

Since retiring from the NFL, Strahan has become a sought-after media personality, appearing on various shows and networks. He has worked as a football broadcaster for Fox since 2008 and has also served as a co-host on the popular talk show, Live with Kelly and Ryan. He is one of the highest-paid broadcasters.

3. Troy Aikman

Troy Aikman is a former NFL quarterback who has become one of the most respected and well-known voices in-game broadcasting. As a commentator for Fox Sports, Aikman commands an impressive salary of $18 million per year, making him one of the highest-paid game analysts in the industry. He has been a fixture on Fox's coverage of the NFL since 2001, and his insightful analysis and commentary have earned him a legion of fans worldwide.

Highest paid female sports analysts
Troy Aikman poses on the red carpet for the Texas Medal of Arts Awards at the Long Center on February 25, 2015, in Austin, Texas. Photo by Manuel Nauta.
Source: Getty Images

Aikman's career in the NFL was equally impressive, as he led the Dallas Cowboys to three Super Bowl championships in the 1990s. Known for his intelligence, athleticism, and leadership skills, Aikman was one of the most dominant quarterbacks of his era, and his achievements on the field have earned him a place in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

2. Tony Romo

Tony Romo has quickly become one of the most recognisable and respected voices in-game broadcasting. As a colour broadcaster for CBS, Romo commands an impressive salary of $18 million annually.

Male sports reporters
CBS Sports analyst Tony Romo gives a keynote address in Las Vegas, on January 8, 2018, in Las Vegas, Nevada. Photo by Ethan Miller.
Source: Getty Images

Romo's insights and predictions during live games have become the stuff of legend, and his ability to break down complex plays and strategies has earned him a legion of fans worldwide.

Romo's career in the NFL was equally impressive, as he spent 14 seasons as the starting quarterback for the Dallas Cowboys. Known for his intelligence, accuracy, and leadership skills, Romo was one of the most successful quarterbacks of his era, and his achievements on the field have earned him a place in the Cowboys' Ring of Honor. He is one of the best male sports reporters.

1. Tom Brady

Tom Brady's 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.

With an annual salary of $37.5 million per season, Brady will earn far more than most current NFL players, who typically make between $500,000 and $5 million annually. This massive salary reflects Brady's immense talent and status as one of the most recognisable and popular figures in the world of sports.

Highest paid broadcasters
Tom Brady arrives to the White House for a ceremony with U.S. President Joe Biden on July 20, 2021, in Washington, DC. Photo by Drew Angerer.
Source: Getty Images

As Fox Sports' lead NFL broadcaster, Brady will provide commentary and analysis on some of the year's biggest games, including the Super Bowl. He will bring his years of experience as one of the greatest quarterbacks in NFL history to his new role, offering fans a unique perspective on the game and its players. He will be the highest-paid analyst in sports.

Many of the highest-paid sports analysts, including Tony Romo and Troy Aikman, were star players in their own right before transitioning to broadcasting. The article notes that these analysts bring years of experience and expertise to their roles, providing fans with unique insights and commentary on some of the biggest games and events in sports.

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Babu Tendu
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