Get to know Chris Kamara’s net worth and personal life story

Get to know Chris Kamara’s net worth and personal life story

Kenneth Mwenda
updated at January 30, 2024 at 8:40 AM
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Chris Kamara’s net worth reflects a successful and diverse career from professional football to broadcasting. Known for his presence both on and off the field, Kamara’s journey in sports has been one of remarkable tenacity and skill. Initially making his mark as a formidable midfielder, Kamara’s transition into a media personality brought him into the limelight of sports broadcasting.

Chris Kamara’s net worth
Chris Kamara during an investiture ceremony at Windsor Castle on March 7, 2023, in Windsor, England. Photo: Andrew Matthews (modified by author)
Source: Getty Images

His unique and charismatic approach to presenting, particularly in his long stint with Sky Sports, has endeared him to a wide audience. Beyond football and media, Kamara’s life story is also one of overcoming personal challenges, adding depth to his public persona.

Profile summary

Name

Christopher Kamara

Date of birth

December 25, 1957

Age

66 years old (as of January 2023)

Zodiac sign

Capricorn

Birthplace

Middlesbrough, England

Nationality

English

Professional career

Former professional football player, manager, and broadcaster

Playing position

Midfielder

Senior career start

1974

Notable clubs

Portsmouth, Swindon Town, Brentford, Leeds United, Stoke City

Managerial career

Bradford City, Stoke City

Broadcasting career

Best known for his work with Sky Sports, including “Soccer Saturday” and “Goals on Sunday”

Media appearances

Co-presenter of ITV’s “Ninja Warrior UK,” guest appearance on “Ted Lasso”

Health challenges

Diagnosed with an underactive thyroid and speech apraxia

Net worth

$20 million

Social media

Instagram, X (Twitter)

Where is Chris Kamara today?

Chris Kamara’s current whereabouts see him continuing his work in media. After a long and successful stint at Sky Sports, Kamara now engages in various television appearances and projects, including his notable work on the ITV series “Ninja Warrior UK” and a guest appearance in the acclaimed series “Ted Lasso” as himself.

How old is Chris Kamara?

Born on December 25, 1957, Chris Kamara is 66 years old (as of January 2024). Chris Kamara’s journey began in Middlesbrough, North Riding of Yorkshire. His career in football commenced when he was just 16, joining the Royal Navy.

Chris Kamara’s net worth

How old is Chris Kamara?
Chris Kamara attends the ITV Palooza 2022 on November 15, 2022, in London, England. Photo: Dave J Hogan
Source: Getty Images

Chris Kamara’s net worth stands at an impressive $20 million as of 2024. Kamara’s financial success can be attributed to his longstanding career in football and media.

His time as a player and manager laid the foundation, but his transition to television significantly boosted his earnings. His role as a co-presenter on the TV series “Goals on Sunday” since 2000 and his various stints on other shows have been lucrative.

Kamara’s playing career and stats

Before Chris Kamara’s professional journey began at Portsmouth, he was serving in the Royal Navy, where his football talent caught the eye of a professional football club scout. This discovery led to his signing with Portsmouth FC in 1974, marking the start of his professional career in football.

Following his initial years at Portsmouth, Kamara’s career took him to Swindon Town from 1977 to 1981. His time at Swindon Town was marked by significant contributions to the team, as evidenced by his 147 appearances and 21 goals, an impressive feat for a midfielder.

Kamara’s career reached new heights at Brentford between 1981 and 1985, where he delivered peak performances. The 1982-83 season was particularly remarkable as he scored a career-best 11 goals, becoming an integral part of the team’s success.

Return to Swindon

Chris Kamara's stats
Swindon Town players (L-R) Andy Rowland, Alan Mayes and Chris Kamara celebrate their 4-3 victory over Arsenal in the League Cup on December 12, 1979. Photo: PA Images via Getty Images
Source: Getty Images

In 1985, Kamara returned to Swindon Town for a second stint. He played a key role in the team’s promotions from the Fourth Division in 1985-86 and the Third Division in the 1986-87 season.

However, this period at Swindon was also marked by a notorious on-field incident in the 1987-88 season. Kamara was later convicted of grievous bodily harm, leading to a fine of $2,100 – a considerable amount for a lower-league football player at that time.

Kamara’s career continued at Stoke City from 1988 to 1990, where he further cemented his reputation. His influential role in the 1988-89 season led to him being honoured as the Player of the Year.

His title-winning season at Leeds

In 1990, Kamara joined Leeds United, contributing to the team’s success in winning the Second Division title in the 1989-90 season. Although injuries limited his playing time, his tenure at Leeds United represented a high point in his career.

Kamara’s time at Luton Town from 1991 to 1993 saw him continue to showcase his talents at the highest level of English football despite the team’s eventual relegation in the 1991-92 season. Concluding his playing career, Kamara had spells at Sheffield United and a brief loan at Middlesbrough, his hometown club, in 1993.

Transition to management and notable incidents

Chris Kamara’s net worth
Chris Kamara, Stoke City manager, gives instructions to players on February 01, 1998. Photo: Neal Simpson
Source: Getty Images

Kamara’s transition from playing to management saw him take the helm at Bradford City and Stoke City. His tenure at Bradford City was particularly memorable, leading the team to promotion from the Second Division via the playoffs in 1996.

Media career and public persona

Post-retirement from football management, Kamara found a new calling in broadcasting. He became a popular figure on Sky Sports, known for his enthusiastic and often humorous commentary.

One of the most memorable and humorous moments in Chris Kamara's broadcasting career occurred on April 3, 2010, during a match between Portsmouth and Blackburn. While reporting for Sky Sports' "Soccer Saturday," Kamara completely missed the second yellow card and subsequent dismissal of Anthony Vanden Borre from Portsmouth.

This oversight led to a light-hearted and now-iconic exchange on live television, where Kamara, unaware of the red card, humorously responded with "I do not know, Jeff!" when asked by the host, Jeff Stelling, about the incident. This moment not only highlighted Kamara's charismatic presence on TV but also became a beloved part of football broadcasting folklore

Chris Kamara’s family and personal life

Chris Kamara’s personal life has been a stable one. He married his wife, Anne, in 1982, and the couple is blessed with two sons, Jack and Ben Kamara. His family life has been a source of strength and support throughout his varied career.

Chris Kamara’s illness

Where does Chris Kamara live now?
Chris Kamara applauds fans before the Premier League match between Leeds United and Brentford FC at Elland Road on January 22, 2023, in Leeds, United Kingdom. Photo: Richard Sellers
Source: Getty Images

What happened to Chris Kamara? In April 2021, Chris Kamara revealed a diagnosis of an underactive thyroid, which was identified after he experienced significant “brain fog” during a live interview on “The One Show.” Kamara shared his challenges with speech in a podcast in September 2022, where he disclosed that he had been diagnosed with speech apraxia in March 2022.

He described enduring 20 months of silent struggle before his thyroid condition was diagnosed. Despite announcing a potential step back from his presenting duties in April 2021 due to health concerns, Kamara continued as a presenter. His journey with these health issues was highlighted in the 2022 ITV documentary “Lost For Words.”

Where does Chris Kamara live now?

He is from Middlesbrough but now lives in Wakefield, in the United Kingdom. His longstanding association with British football and television suggests that the UK remains his base of operations and his home.

Final word

Chris Kamara’s net worth is not just a testament to his financial success but also a reflection of his extensive contributions to the world of football and media. His journey, marked by resilience and versatility, has established him as a beloved figure in sports and beyond, with his net worth symbolizing the culmination of a remarkable and diverse career.

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Authors
Kenneth Mwenda photo
Kenneth Mwenda
Kenneth Mwenda is a business and sports writer with over five years of experience. At Sportsbrief, he contributes to writing biographies and listicles.