FOX Sports is out here flexing on the entire sports broadcasting game, straight-up securing the biggest bags for their talent. Networks are in a full-on bidding war to lock down former athletes, and the cash they’re throwing around is wild. The post-retirement grind has never been more lucrative, but when it comes to the biggest paycheck in the biz, one network is absolutely cooking the competition.
TNT thought they did something by dropping the bag on Charles Barkley and Shaquille O’Neal, but nah—FOX said, ‘Hold my Gatorade,’ and handed Tom Brady a ridiculous $375M deal. That’s nearly double what Chuck’s making and leaves every other ex-athlete-turned-broadcaster in the dust. Brady is literally gaining generational wealth just to talk football. Meanwhile, ESPN and CBS are still out here trying to keep up, but it’s looking really tough for them.
Top Reported Sports Broadcaster, Analyst Annual Salaries
Tom Brady, $37.5M
Charles Barkley, $21M
Stephen A. Smith, $20M
Troy Aikman, $18M
Tony Romo, $18M
Pat McAfee, $17M
Shaquille O’Neal, $15M+
Joe Buck, $15Mhttps://t.co/UsupJdBWrR
— Spotrac (@spotrac) February 15, 2025
And let’s be real—being a retired athlete has never been more profitable. Tom Brady’s 10-year, $375M deal is setting the standard for ex-NFL players hitting the booth, with Tony Romo ($18M) and Troy Aikman ($18M) also cashing out. If you were a QB in the league, congrats. You basically have a golden ticket to a second career where the money still flows like Gatorade in the fourth quarter.
Over in the NBA, it’s the same vibe. Barkley’s still the top dog at $21M a year, and Shaquille O’Neal just secured his bag with a new $15M+ contract. Even Kenny Smith is out here winning—his new $16M per year deal actually pays him more than he made in his entire playing career. Networks know these guys are must-watch on TV, so they’re cutting checks like there’s no tomorrow. Moral of the story? Retiring from pro sports isn’t the endgame—it’s just the start of another money-making era.
Mic’d up & cashed out: The biggest bags in sports broadcasting
The sports broadcasting world is basically a goldmine for former athletes and media personalities, with networks throwing around crazy money to keep the biggest names on air. Retired players aren’t just chilling—they’re securing the bag in a major way. Here’s a look at some of the top-paid sports broadcasters right now:
Stephen A. Smith (ESPN) – $20 Million
Troy Aikman (ESPN) – $18 Million
Tony Romo (CBS) – $18 Million
Pat McAfee (ESPN) – $17 Million
Michael Strahan (FOX Sports) – $17 Million
Joe Buck (ESPN) – $15 Million
Cris Collinsworth (NBC Sports) – $12.5 Million
Kirk Herbstreit (ESPN/ABC) – $12 Million
These guys aren’t just collecting checks—they’re running the sports talk game. Whether they’re breaking down plays, dropping hot takes, or just bringing pure entertainment, they’ve turned post-retirement life into a whole new money-making era. Safe to say, talking sports pays really well.
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