Top NFL Announcers Earn Millions as Salaries Skyrocket

NEW YORK — NFL announcers are commanding record-breaking salaries as networks compete to secure top talent for their game-day coverage. Leading the pack are household names like Jim Nantz, Tony Romo, Joe Buck, and Mike Tirico, whose multi-million-dollar contracts reflect the growing importance of broadcast talent in professional sports.

Jim Nantz, a 40-year veteran at CBS, reportedly earns $10.5 million annually under a deal that runs through 2025. He is paired with Tony Romo, who signed a groundbreaking 10-year, $180 million contract with the network. “Jim and Tony have become the gold standard for NFL broadcasting,” said a CBS spokesperson.

Joe Buck, who spent 18 years at FOX Sports before moving to ESPN in 2022, now earns between $12 million and $15 million annually as the lead play-by-play announcer for Monday Night Football. His longtime partner, Troy Aikman, also joined ESPN, continuing their partnership that began in 2002. “Joe and Troy bring unparalleled chemistry and expertise to the booth,” an ESPN representative noted.

At NBC, Mike Tirico took over as the lead play-by-play announcer for Sunday Night Football, replacing Al Michaels. Tirico, who reportedly earns $10.5 million annually, works alongside Cris Collinsworth. Meanwhile, Kevin Burkhardt, FOX’s lead announcer since Joe Buck’s departure, earns around $5 million annually and is set to call the Super Bowl alongside Tom Brady, who commands a staggering $37.5 million per year.

The rising salaries of NFL announcers reflect the increasing value of live sports broadcasting. “The NFL is the most-watched programming in America, and networks are willing to pay top dollar for the best talent,” said sports media analyst John Ourand.