Top journalists and sportscasters are highly skilled individuals who excel in delivering news and sports coverage. With their expertise and dedication, they have become household names, earning substantial salaries for their exceptional work.
Their passion for storytelling and insightful commentary continues to set new standards in media and sports broadcasting.
Keep reading to find out how much they make.
Brianna Keilar โ $64.6K


Brianna Keilar, the anchor of CNNโs โNew Day,โ began her career with the network as a journalist in 2006.
Over the years, she contributed to various programs and gained experience as a general assignment correspondent, congressional correspondent, and Senior White House Correspondent.
Her successful media journey includes previous positions at KTVU-TV, Fox News, and CNN as a reporter.
In December 2021, Keilar honored deployed service soldiers by preparing Game Day Chili Mac for the Army-Navy football squad.
Besides her journalism career, she is also an author, and the earnings from her book โHome Frontโ add to her annual salary of $64,000.
Molly Qerim โ $500K
Molly Qerim, a captivating host, once kept NFL Network viewers engaged with shows like โFantasy Liveโ and โNFL AM.โ
She started her journey at the University of Connecticut, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in communications.
Before this, Qerim worked as an anchor and reporter for CBS Sports Network, covering the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) for ESPN, and co-hosting the ESPNU show โCampus Connection.โ
In 2015, Qerim became the permanent host of โFirst Takeโ after initially serving as the showโs interim host.
Her hosting responsibilities extend to covering events like Super Bowls, NBA All-Star Games, and the Heisman Trophy presentation, contributing to her annual salary of $500,000.


Maury Povich โ $14 Million
Maurice โMauryโ Povich is widely recognized as the host of his own talk show. However, he first gained prominence in the 1980s as the host of the information show โA Current Affair.โ
Later, he co-produced and hosted โThe Maury Povich Show,โ which was later renamed โMaury,โ further adding to his fame.
Apart from his talk show career, Povich has made appearances in scripted shows like โHow I Met Your Motherโ and โMadeaโs Big Happy Family.โ
In 2007, he expanded his ventures by founding the weekly print publication Flathead Beacon, and in 2017, he became a part-owner of Chatter, a restaurant and bar.
All of these endeavors combined contribute to his impressive annual earnings of $14 million.


Rachel Nichols โ $ 1.5 Million
Rachel Nichols embarked on her journalism career at the Sun-Sentinel after graduating from the Medill School of Journalism.
She then moved on to writing for the Washington Post before joining ESPN, where she became a regular on โSportsCenterโ and served as a sideline reporter for several ESPN Monday Night Football broadcasts.
After a stint hosting โUnguarded with Rachel Nicholsโ on CNN, she returned to ESPN to co-host the sports talk show โThe Jump.โ
Nichols gained widespread recognition for her exceptional work in the field, and in 2014, Sports Illustrated honored her as one of the โmost prominent female sports journalists.โ
In January 2022, Nichols departed from ESPN, with one year remaining on her $1.5 million per year contract, leaving behind a remarkable legacy in sports journalism.


Charissa Thompson โ $700K
Charissa Thompson is a well-known figure among National Football League (NFL) fans for her work on Fox Sports coverage.
Her career as a sportscaster and TV host has spanned various networks, including ESPN, the Big Ten Network (BTN), and the Game Show Network (GSN).
In addition to hosting sports-related programs, she has also been the host of shows like โUltimate Beastmasterโ and the entertainment news show โExtra.โ
Despite her law degree, Thompson found her calling in the world of sports broadcasting. In 2009, she graced the cover of Access DirectTV and even wrote an article for the magazine after interviewing Cole Hamels.
Her involvement in the Manny Pacquiao vs. Jessie Vargas Top Rank broadcasting team contributed to her impressive $3 million fortune. It is reported that she earns an annual salary of $700,000, further solidifying her position as a successful and esteemed sports broadcaster.


Greg Kelly โ $72K
Gregory Kelly is a prominent conservative television host and anchor, widely recognized for his self-titled Newsmax show.
Before this, he had an illustrious career at Fox News, where he served as a White House correspondent and co-hosted popular shows like โFox and Friendsโ and โGood Day New York.โ
Additionally, Kelly held the rank of a retired lieutenant colonel in the United States Marine Corps Reserve, showcasing his dedication to patriotic service.
In March 2021, he expanded his broadcasting ventures by becoming a daytime host for WABC radio. Thanks to his successful career and financial management, Kellyโs net worth is estimated at around $100 million.
He earns an annual take-home pay ranging from $24,000 to $72,000, with the majority of his income attributed to his service to the country and the remainder stemming from his contributions to Fox News.


Erin Andrews โ $2 Million
Erin Jill Andrews gained public attention when she joined ESPN in 2004 as a reporter. Later, she became a lead sideline reporter for Fox Sports, anchoring their NFL coverage.
However, her rise to prominence came after her appearance on โDancing with the Starsโ in 2010, and she eventually co-hosted the show from 2014 to 2019.
Apart from her broadcasting career, Andrews has been involved in philanthropy and served as a Kraft Foods spokesman for their โHuddle to Fight Hungerโ campaign, helping raise an impressive $2.86 million.
Her popularity has also led to endorsement deals with various products, including CoverGirl and Orangetheory Fitness.
Furthermore, Andrews generates part of her annual $2 million compensation from a clothing brand she developed with Fanatics in 2019.


Jillian Meleโ $85K
Jillian Mele, an Emmy-winning sportscaster, is widely recognized for her talent in the industry. She co-hosted โFox & Friendsโ and โFox & Friends Firstโ from 2017 to 2021, after getting her start at WIVT-TV.
Her journey in sports journalism began after earning a communications degree from LaSalle University in Philadelphia.
Meleโs big break came when she secured a position at NBC 10, where she also earned an Emmy for her outstanding Olympics coverage. In 2022, she joined the VHF digital channel WPVI-TV to continue her career.
For her media obligations, Jillian Mele receives a salary of $85,000 annually, which reflects the standard range for experienced sportscasters in the industry.
Her dedication and exceptional work have earned her well-deserved recognition and opportunities in the world of sports journalism.


Sanjay Gupta โ $4 Million
Sanjay Gupta is a renowned medical reporter, neurosurgeon, and writer with a multifaceted career. His expertise in health-related topics has made him a prominent figure on various TV shows and news programs.
As CNNโs chief medical correspondent, Gupta has received multiple Emmy Awards for his contributions to โSanjay Gupta MDโ and frequently appears on CNN shows like โLarry King Live,โ โAnderson Cooper 360ยฐ,โ and โCNN Tonight.โ
His diverse roles in the media and healthcare industries have contributed to his annual earnings, reportedly amounting to $4 million per year.
Guptaโs fortunes continue to grow, and his accomplishments were further recognized when he was elected to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences in 2021.
With his wealth of knowledge and dedication to health journalism, Sanjay Gupta remains a respected and influential figure in the field.


Ainsley Earhardt โ $400K
Ainsley Earhardt is a prominent conservative television personality, best known as a co-host on โFox & Friends.โ
She kickstarted her journalism career after graduating with a degree in journalism from the University of South Carolina. Soon after, she was hired as a reporter by WLTX.
One of the defining moments in her career was covering the inspiring story of a South Carolina middle school student who raised $500,000 to replace a fire engine lost in the aftermath of the September 11th attacks. Her reporting showcased her dedication to telling impactful stories.
Earhardtโs career continued to soar as she became the daily anchor for KENS-TVโs morning and lunchtime newscasts.
Beyond her television work, she has also authored two books for young readers and a memoir titled โThe Light Within Me.โ
In her role as a co-host on โFox & Friends,โ Ainsley Earhardt earns an estimated salary of around $400,000.


Linda Cohn โ $3 Million
Linda Cohnโs journey to a career in sports media began at the age of 15 when she joined a hockey league team. With a talent for ice hockey, she excelled as a goalkeeper during her adolescence.
Even while attending the State University of New York at Oswego, she continued to play the sport, earning recognition for her skills and getting inducted into the schoolโs Athletic Hall of Fame in 2006.
In 1992, Cohn joined ESPN as a โSportsCenterโ anchor, marking a significant milestone in her career. Before that, she started her broadcasting journey as a WALK-AM anchor.
In 2008, she published a memoir that delved into her passion for sports and her experiences working on โSportsCenter.โ
Linda Cohnโs talent and dedication have led her to be highly regarded in the sports media industry. Her annual salary is estimated to be around $3 million, a testament to her success and influence as a sports anchor at ESPN.


Tony Romo โ $17.5 Million
After enjoying a successful 14-year NFL career as the quarterback for the Dallas Cowboys, Tony Romo effortlessly transitioned into the radio booth.
In 2017, CBS recognized his exceptional talent and hired him as their lead color analyst. Romoโs in-game analysis and play-by-play coverage quickly garnered praise and attention.
His skills and popularity as a broadcaster resulted in a renewed deal with CBS in 2020, which, according to the New York Post, increased his annual salary to an impressive $18 million.
This significant raise made him the highest-paid sports broadcaster and NFL analyst in television history.
Throughout his football career, Tony Romo earned a total of $127.4 million, as reported by Sportrac.


Kate Bolduan โ $2.4 Million
Kate Bolduan is a well-known television host on CNN, and her show on the network contributes to her annual salary of $2.4 million. She has previously hosted other CNN shows like โNew Dayโ and โThe Situation Room with Wolf Blitzer.โ
Her background as a legislative journalist became evident when she joined CNN as the โNewsourceโ correspondent in 2007.
In addition to her hosting duties, Bolduan has been co-hosting an audio-only program called โThe Forecast Festโ alongside Harry Enten and John Avlon since 2019.
However, after releasing an exciting episode in 2020, the trio hasnโt published much more content for the series.
To supplement her income, Kate Bolduan also works as a freelance speaker on the side, further showcasing her versatility in the media industry.


Lindsay Czarniak โ $2 Million
Lindsay Czarniak is a prominent sports broadcaster known for her in-studio NASCAR coverage and NFL sideline reporting for Fox Sports since 2019. Her passion for sports broadcasting started while she was studying journalism at James Madison University.
She secured an internship at station WUSA and later began her professional career as a production assistant at CNN.
Czarniakโs career highlights include co-hosting โThe George Michael Sports Machineโ for the NBC-owned WRC-TV network and covering NBC Sportsโ broadcast of the 2006 Winter Olympics.
In addition to her broadcasting work, she has also dabbled in acting, appearing in shows like โAquariusโ and โGhosts Donโt Exist.โ
According to Celebrity Networth, Lindsay Czarniakโs annual salary is estimated to be around $2 million, reflecting her success and recognition as a talented sports broadcaster.


Stephen A. Smith โ $12 Million
Stephen A. Smithโs claims of being โgrossly underpaidโ should be taken with a grain of salt, as he is estimated to earn a substantial $8 million a year from his ESPN duties alone.
On top of that, he receives an additional $4 million per year from a production contract, bringing his total earnings to an impressive $12 million.
As a prominent sports commentator, Smith is a regular NBA analyst on โSportsCenterโ and a co-host on the popular show โFirst Take.โ
He also hosts his own self-titled show on ESPN Radio and writes for both The Philadelphia Inquirer and ESPN.com.
In addition to his sports-related work, Stephen A. Smith expanded his career by venturing into soccer coverage, debuting in June 2021. He also hosted the โAinโt No Wayโ section.
Beyond sports media, Smith has also earned money from his roles in TV shows like โGeneral Hospitalโ and โI Think I Love My Wife.โ


Rosalyn Gold-Onwudeโ $78.2K
Rosalyn Gold-Onwudeโs journey to a successful broadcasting career began while she played basketball at Stanford University, where she studied communications.
After earning her masterโs degree in sociology from the same university, she continued to showcase her talent on the court as a member of the Nigeria womenโs basketball team, averaging 8.1 points.
Her broadcasting career took off in 2017 when she joined Turner Sports. For NBATV and TNT networks, she covered NBA Summer League and All-Star Weekend games. From 2014 to 2017, Gold-Onwude provided color commentary for the New York Liberty games on MSG Networks.
However, her most significant recognition came as an NBC Golden State Warriors sideline reporter, where she earned praise for her coverage during their games. She also gained valuable experience covering the 2016 Rio Olympics for the network.
According to available information, Rosalyn Gold-Onwudeโs annual salary is approximately $78,200.


Emma Rechenberg โ $800K
Emma Rechenberg is a highly accomplished political journalist and Emmy winner, known for her work at Newsmax TV. Her expertise extends to covering breaking news updates for the network, and she previously served as a Citizen news reporter.
Her journey in journalism started during her time at the University of Missouri, where she gained valuable experiences meeting senators, governors, medical specialists, and Olympic medalists.
Emmaโs path to sports journalism began as an intern at KITVI Fox 2, where she managed the networkโs social media accounts and created web stories.
Beyond her professional career, Rechenberg has a significant presence on social media, with 15.8K followers on Twitter. Her influence and accomplishments in the industry have earned her an annual salary of $800,000, reflecting her success as a prominent journalist.


Al Michaels โ $6 Million
Alan โAlโ Michaels is a seasoned sports commentator who has had a remarkable career with both ABC Sports and NBC Sports. After spending three decades at ABC Sports, he made the move to NBC Sports in 2006.
His career with ABC Sports began as a baseball commentator in 1977, covering ice hockey and multiple World Series events.
One of his most iconic roles at ABC was as the play-by-play commentator for โMonday Night Footballโ broadcasts, a position he held for a considerable period.
Upon joining NBC Sports, Michaels became a co-host of โSunday Night Football,โ where he has been a prominent figure. He has also been the play-by-play commentator for five Super Bowls, including Super Bowl LVI in 2022.
Additionally, he has been NBC Sportsโ Olympic Daytime host since 2009.
With his extensive experience and impressive portfolio, Al Michaels commands an estimated annual salary of $6 million.


Cassidy Hubbarth โ $200K
Cassidy Hubbarth is a talented TV anchor and host at ESPN2, known for her work on shows like โNBA Tonight,โ โCollege Football Live,โ and โSportsCenter.โ
Her career in journalism began after graduating from the Medill School of Journalism, where she landed a role with the Big Ten Network. She worked as a traffic reporter for Navteq and later became a producer for WMAQ NBC5.
Joining ESPN in 2010, Hubbarth initially covered high school basketball and football. Over the years, she has hosted several ESPN shows, including โNBA Tonight,โ โHighlight Express,โ and โFirst Take.โ
Before becoming a full-time host, she honed her skills as an associate producer and a production assistant at the network.
For her hard work and dedication, Cassidy Hubbarth earns an estimated annual salary of around $200,000.


Leeann Tweeden โ $1 Million
Leeann Tweeden took a bold step in the 1990s by moving to Hollywood to pursue a modeling career.
Her journey began as a hostess at Hooters, and she eventually won the Venus International Model Search, which opened doors to more opportunities. Notably, she hosted โFitness Beachโ on ESPN, gaining national exposure.
In the 2000s, Tweedenโs career expanded as she anchored portions on Fox Sports Net and worked as a correspondent for Fox Sports Network. She also became the third hostess for the hour-long NBC show โPoker After Dark.โ
In 2019, Leeann Tweeden took on anchoring duties for the KABC show โDr. Drew Midday.โ
Her success and versatility have contributed to her estimated annual salary of $1 million.


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