Annually, Kirk Herbstreit makes $18 million. His arrangement with Amazon Prime for “Thursday Night Football” earns him more than $10 million. With his ESPN contract adding still another $8 million, he ranks among the top paid sportscasters in 2024.
Herbstreit’s pay shows his increasing impact in the NFL and college football. His multiple positions on ESPN and Amazon have confirmed his ranking as a great broadcaster. With this pay, he ranks among elite experts like Tony Romo and Troy Aikman.
Personal and Career Information of Kirk Herbstreit
| Personal Information | Career Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Kirk Edward Herbstreit |
| Date of Birth | August 19, 1969 |
| Nationality | American |
| Education | Ohio State University |
| Years Active | 1996–Present |
| Salary (2024) | $18 million per year |
| Net Worth (2024) | $12 million |
| Notable Roles | ESPN College GameDay, ABC Saturday Night Football, Amazon TNF |
| Spouse | Allison Butler |
| Children | 4 Sons (Zak, Chase, Tye, Jake) |
Amazon Prime and ESPN Deals
Her contract with Amazon Prime pays her more than $10 million annually. He set up beside Al Michaels in the “Thursday Night Football” booth for 2022. This signaled his official arrival into NFL broadcasting. It also increased his compensation compared to his former employment with ESPN.
At the same time, Herbstreit extended his deal with ESPN. His new deal pays him $8 million a year. This contract ensures that he will continue to appear on “College GameDay” and ABC’s “Saturday Night Football.”
Early Career and ESPN Entry
Herbstreit signed up with ESPN in 1996. He started guiding “College GameDay’s analysis. His background as a former Ohio State quarterback added legitimacy. His pay developed in line with his increasing network visibility over years.
Herbstreit first made roughly $2 million annually. His pay climbed to $6 million as his stature grew. Having lately signed deals with ESPN and Amazon, he has become among the highest paid experts in the nation.
NFL Broadcasters and Amazon Prime
Herbstreit committed himself to Amazon Prime in 2022. Paying more than $10 million yearly, this contract made him the color commentator for “Thursday Night Football.” Expanding his involvement into full-time NFL coverage, he teamed with seasoned commentator Al Michaels in the booth.
Her change into NFL broadcasting reveals her adaptability. His new job with Amazon let him continue his ESPN responsibilities while bringing his professional opinion to a larger audience. His worth in the broadcasting scene was raised even more by the twin roles.
ESPN Contractual Extension
Herbstreit signed a three-year contract with ESPN that same day he started working for Amazon. This agreement plus the two years left on his current contract will keep him with ESPN until at least 2027. His pay went to $8 million annually with the extension.
This arrangement guarantees Herbstreit will remain a big player on “College GameDay” and ABC’s “Saturday Night Football.” ESPN’s college football coverage still depends much on his presence.
Salary of Herbstreit Comparatively
With his $18 million pay, Herbstreit is among the sportscasters paid the most. He falls in line with Troy Aikman and Tony Romo, who get comparable salaries. Herbstreit’s ability to cover the NFL as well as college football has helped him to demand a great pay.
This pay also reflects the need for top-notch sports analysts in the media scene of today. Particularly in the very competitive field of sports broadcasting, networks are ready to commit considerably in personalities who can draw in and keep viewers.
Awards and Achievements
Herbstreit holds five Sports Emmy Awards. Among his honors are Outstanding Sports Personas in the Studio Analyst and Sports Event Analyst divisions. These honors emphasize his authority and experience in sports broadcasting.
Herbstreit is a fan favorite because of his great football knowledge and interesting on-air manner. His contributions to coverage of college and professional football have won him admiration and industry recognition.
Human Life and Family
Herbstreit married Allison Butler; their four boys are Tye, Jake, Zak, and Chase. Tye and Jake, his two eldest boys, footballed at Clemson University. On social media, Herbstreit regularly shares special times with his family.
Herbstreit’s continuous participation in the football scene clearly shows his close relationship to Ohio State, where he was quarterback. Future generations of football players and broadcasters are still motivated by his legacy as both player and analyst.
Financial Development and Prospective Future
Over years, Herbstreit’s financial prosperity has increased dramatically. From making $2 million yearly at ESPN to now making $18 million from both ESPN and Amazon, his career path has been amazing. His twin responsibilities in NFL football and college have guaranteed his financial future.