The 10 Highest-Paid Sports Media Personalities Right Now

In the world of sports entertainment, the most prominent names in broadcasting have become very expensive personalities.

Most recently, for example, Stephen A. Smith signed a five-year, $105 million extension at ESPN. That pricey agreement has pushed Smith to the throne of annual earnings, surpassing Fox analyst Tom Brady.

Who else lands in the Top 10?

Although exact numbers are not always available, the list is based entirely on the most recent reporting from reputable sources.

T-7. Joe Buck: $15 Million Annually

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Joe Buck

For nearly three decades, Joe Buck spearheaded Fox's coverage for the NFL and MLB. He left for ESPN in 2022, now serving as the play-by-play voice on Monday Night Football. Buck also called an Opening Day MLB game in 2025.

According to Andrew Marchand, then of the New York Post, Buck signed a five-year, $75 million agreement to join ESPN.

T-7. Al Michaels: $15 Million

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One unforgettable voice in broadcasting, Al Michaels has been a critical piece of the sports media landscape for 50 years.

Michaels' travels have guided him from CBS and NBC to ABC and now Amazon, where he calls Thursday Night Football games. Marchand, today of The Athletic, reported Michaels made $15 million annually on his initial Amazon deal, which is continuing on a year-to-year basis.

T-7. Shaquille O'Neal: $15 Million

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The "Big Diesel" is making big money as an NBA analyst.

Upon retiring from the Association in 2011, Shaquille O'Neal joined TNT Sports. He recently signed a "long-term" extension worth $15 million annually, per Michael McCarthy and Ryan Glasspiegel of Front Office Sports.

6. Kirk Herbstreit: $16 Million

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Kirk Herbstreit rose to prominence in his analyst role on ESPN's College GameDay, and he's parlayed that success into an NFL job.

In addition to his GameDay role, he provides color on ABC's prime-time Saturday college game and Thursday's NFL game. Herbstreit earns $6 million annually from ESPN/ABC and an eight-figure salary from Amazon, per Marchand.

5. Pat McAfee: $17 Million

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The most interesting man in sports entertainment these days, Pat McAfee has been a rapidly rising star in the industry.

McAfee, who punted for the Indianapolis Colts from 2009-16, agreed to a five-year, $85 million contract with ESPN in 2022, per Marchand. He hosts The Pat McAfee Show and serves as an analyst for College GameDay.

T-4. Tony Romo: $18 Million

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After his 14-year career with the Dallas Cowboys ended in 2016, Tony Romo soared onto the airwaves for CBS.

Marchand reported in 2020 that Romo, who initially signed a three-year contract, inked a 10-year, $180 million extension. During the NFL season, he's the color analyst for CBS' featured game alongside Jim Nantz.

T-4. Troy Aikman: $18 Million

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Troy Aikman shook up the NFL broadcasting space in 2022, leaving Fox after two decades to serve as ESPN's analyst on Monday Night Football.

According to Marchand, the five-year contract falls in the "$90 million-and-change range" for Aikman.

3. Charles Barkley: $21 Million

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Following a 16-year NBA career, Charles Barkley went directly to TV. He's been a beloved figure on TNT's Inside the NBA studio show since 2000.

Barkley landed a 10-year extension from TNT (Warner Bros. Discovery Sports) in 2022. Later, he told Marchand the contract is worth $210 million.

2. Tom Brady: $37.5 Million

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Even before he hung up the cleats, Tom Brady had a broadcasting move locked in. He agreed to a 10-year, $375 million deal with Fox in 2022, per Marchand.

Brady retired after that season, spent a year outside of football and entered the Fox booth in 2024. Alongside play-by-play man Kevin Burkhardt, Brady is the lead analyst on Fox's weekly top NFL game.

1. Stephen A. Smith: $40 Million

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Stephen A. Smith's reputation as the loudest voice in sports media has resulted in several major sources of income.

Along with his recent five-year, $105 million deal at ESPN, Smith has a three-year contract for $36 million at SiriusXM Radio. According to Marchand, revenue from his YouTube channel and podcast push Smith into the $40 million range annually.