Add Page Six on Google They’re raking in the big bucks!
Tom Brady, Shaquille O’Neal, Tony Romo, Pat McAfee and many more have become among the highest-paid media personalities in sports.
The men, some of whom are former athletes, have made millions by simply sharing their sometimes controversial takes on some of sports’ biggest moments.
Al Michaels and O’Neal are tied at the bottom of the top 10 earners in sports media, both raking in around $15 million a year each, according to Bleacher Report.
Michaels, 81, has been part of the sports media world for more than five decades, working with CBS, NBC, ABC and now Amazon. The sports commentator currently gives play-by-plays of Thursday night football games through his Amazon deal.
After O’Neal, 54, retired from the NBA in June 2011, he joined TNT Sports. The former Los Angeles Lakers star reportedly recently signed a “long-term” extension worth $15 million annually.
Kirk Herbstreit is taking the number eight spot for the top earners in sports media, raking in $16 million per year.
The former college football player, 57, rose to fame as an analyst on ESPN’s “College GameDay.” He also commentates ABC’s Saturday college game and Thursday’s NFL game.
Romo, 46, Troy Aikman, 59, and Joe Buck, also 57, have a three-way tie for the next spot on the top 10 list. The men each garner around $18 million annually
Charles Barkley is coming in at the number four spot, making about $21 million annually.
After being in the NBA for 16 years, Barkley, 63, joined “Inside the NBA” in 2000.
The former Houston Rockets star reportedly has a contract worth $210 million.
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McAfee and Brady are in the number three and two spots, respectively.
The “Pat McAfee Show” host, 39, makes around $30 million per year, while the former New England Patriots quarterback, 49, receives $37.5 million annually.
Brady, who retired from the NFL in 2023, inked a 10-year, $375 million deal with Fox in 2022.
Last but certainly not least is Stephen A. Smith, who is taking the number one spot as the highest-paid broadcaster in sports.
Smith, 58, reportedly rakes in about $40 million every year for sharing his often controversial takes on sports.
He recently inked a five-year, $105 million deal at ESPN, in addition to a three-year, $36 million deal with SiriusXM Radio.
Smith also brings in big bucks from his YouTube channel and podcast.
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