Who is the highest paid anchor at ESPN?
David Edwards
Published May 10, 2026
Stephen A.
Smith is more of an entertainer than a sportscaster. A very successful one. At $12 million a year, he is the highest paid on-air employee at ESPN.How much do ESPN news anchors make?
ESPN Reporters earn $85,000 annually, or $41 per hour, which is 76% higher than the national average for all Reporters at $38,000 annually and 25% higher than the national salary average for all working Americans.Who is the richest sportscaster?
Tom Brady: Up to $25 million ... or $37.5 millionIt is the largest contract in sportscasting history, as it more than doubles both CBS' Tony Romo and ESPN's Troy Aikman in average annual salary of $18 million per season. Wow.
Who is the highest paid sportscaster in 2021?
So here's an unofficial ranking of the top-paid sports broadcasters:
- Jime Rome, $30 million.
- Tony Romo, $18 million.
- Michael Strahan, $17 million.
- Cris Collinsworth, $12.5 million.
- Stephen A. Smith, $12 million.
- Joe Buck, $11 million.
How much is Joe Buck paid?
Aikman will eclipse Romo's annual salary, according to a person with knowledge of the deal. Buck could approach $15 million per year, according to a person with knowledge of that deal. (ESPN declined to comment on the terms.) Aikman and Buck aren't the only football broadcasters cashing in.Stephen A Smith| His Early life| Before he became Espn's Highest Paid Commentator.
What is Troy Aikman's salary?
Aikman and a new era in broadcastingIn February 2022, Aikman reached a deal with ESPN to, along with Joe Buck, join the Monday Night Football broadcasts, with an annual salary for the former Cowboys quarterback of about $17 million.