If you have ever wondered how much ESPN anchors make, the reported range is wide: the network’s best-known personalities are said to earn roughly $6 million to $20 million a year, and ESPN confirms none of it. Stephen A. Smith’s reported deal pays as much as $20 million a year, the biggest number attached to anyone on ESPN’s air.
This guide covers the reported pay for the big names, why salaries differ between anchors, hosts and analysts, and the outside deals that add to a paycheck.
How Much Do ESPN Anchors Make? The Reported Figures
ESPN does not publish what it pays on-air talent, so every number below comes from media reporting and should be read as an estimate. Here is what has been reported for five familiar faces.
| Name | Reported Pay | Role |
|---|---|---|
| Stephen A. Smith | Up to $20 million a year | First Take star |
| Pat McAfee | $17 million a year ($85 million over five years) | Show host and College GameDay |
| Kirk Herbstreit | About $8 million a year | College football analyst |
| Mike Greenberg | $6.5 million a year | Get Up host |
| Scott Van Pelt | Nearly $7 million over four years | SportsCenter anchor |
Smith’s five-year, $100 million extension replaced a deal that paid him $12 million a year. McAfee’s $85 million deal from 2023 includes 230 shows a year plus weekly College GameDay appearances.
Greenberg’s $6.5 million a year was reported in 2018 when he moved to Get Up. Van Pelt’s four-year extension was reported at nearly $7 million, while some outlets quote about $6 million a year for him, so his true figure is hard to pin down. Herbstreit’s 2022 extension raised him from about $6 million to around $8 million.
Why ESPN Anchor Pay Varies So Much
A traditional SportsCenter anchor reads highlights and hosts a rundown of the day’s games. A show host or debate star builds a program around a personality, and that is where the largest money sits.
Three things push a salary up:
- Audience pull: Smith’s pay rose from $12 million to as much as $20 million a year, with his time centered on First Take, ESPN’s popular morning program.
- Control of the show: McAfee kept creative control of his program, which is a different arrangement from a salaried anchor on a network desk.
- Competing offers: McAfee had earlier signed a four-year, $120 million deal with FanDuel, about $30 million a year, so ESPN was bidding against a rival number.
Workload counts too. Smith’s new deal reportedly lets him scale back his time on other ESPN shows and focus on First Take.
How ESPN Anchors Earn From Other Work
Salary is only part of the picture for the highest earners. Herbstreit’s Amazon Prime contract is reported at more than $10 million a year, on top of his ESPN pay, and it comes from his game analysis.
Other income streams for on-air stars commonly include podcasts, radio shows, speaking dates and endorsements. Radio is a proven route to a big fortune, as you can see in our breakdown of how much Howard Stern has made from radio and beyond. Broadcasting also pays well after a playing career, which we cover in Tom Brady’s net worth and income sources beyond the NFL.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does ESPN Publish Anchor Salaries?
No. ESPN does not release pay figures for its on-air talent, and the network declined comment when Pat McAfee’s contract numbers were first reported. Every figure comes from reporters citing sources.
Is a Contract Total the Same as Annual Pay?
No. A five-year, $100 million deal averages $20 million a year, but some reported deals are production arrangements. McAfee pays his staff and produces his show himself, so his reported $17 million a year does not all land in his own pocket.
Why Do Salary Estimates Differ Between Websites?
Reports, offers and final terms change during negotiations. Figures for Smith, for example, have appeared as both $18 million and $20 million a year.
