Alright, let’s talk about how much NFL commentators make. It’s a question that’s been buzzing around, and I’ve finally gotten to the bottom of it.
So, first things first, I started digging around online. I mean, where else do you start these days? I hit up all the usual spots – sports websites, salary databases, you name it. Initially, I just wanted to get a general idea, you know, a ballpark figure, haha, even though we’re talking about football.
After sifting through a bunch of articles and forums, I started to see some patterns. The numbers were all over the place, but one thing was clear: the top dogs in NFL commentary are making some serious dough. We’re talking more than most of the players!
I decided to focus on the big names first. You know, the guys you hear every Sunday, the ones who are practically synonymous with the NFL. One of the first names that popped up was Cris Collinsworth. This guy is on NBC, and apparently, he’s pulling in around $12.5 million a year! Can you believe that? That’s a huge jump from his previous contract, which was around $4 million annually. It seems like he got quite the raise back in 2021.
Then there’s Joe Buck, who moved to ESPN. His deal is reportedly worth somewhere between $60 and $75 million over five years. That’s like $12 to $15 million a year just to talk about football! It’s insane how much these guys get paid. And they aren’t even the only ones. Some other big shot, Kirk Herbstreit, is making $18 million a year working for ESPN and ABC.
I also found out that Amazon is paying the NFL a whopping $1 billion a season just to air Thursday Night Football. So the money involved in this whole industry is just astronomical.
But what about the other commentators, the ones who aren’t necessarily household names? Well, from what I gathered, even the commentators who aren’t at the very top are still making a pretty penny. I saw figures ranging from $400,000 to $600,000 a year. That’s not too shabby for a job where you get to watch and talk about football for a living. I mean, I know there are some folks who make way less, but even the lower end of the range isn’t something to sneeze at.
Here’s a little summary of what I found, in a simple list:
- Top Announcers: Making more than most NFL players.
- Cris Collinsworth (NBC): Around $12.5 million annually.
- Joe Buck (ESPN): $12-$15 million a year.
- Kirk Herbstreit (ESPN, ABC): $18 million a year.
- Lower-tier Announcers: $400,000 to $600,000 annually.
So, there you have it. That’s the scoop on how much NFL commentators make. It’s a lucrative gig, especially if you can make it to the top. They’re definitely living the high life, all thanks to their ability to talk about the game we all love.
