On average NBA commentators’ salary is $80,000 with an average weekly income of $1500 for the NBA. Most NBA commentators’ salary is greater than that as they are much more valuable and experienced, thus some of them earn around $100,000 a year. Apart from the commentators, play-by-play announcers and sports analysts also have yearly earnings of $1 million and some of the glossers even earn up to $5 million annually.
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NBA Commentators Salary 2022:
| EXPERIENCE | ANNUAL SALARY |
|---|---|
| Less than 2 years | $ 100,000 |
| More than 2 years | $ 1,000,000 |
| More than 5 years | $ 10,000,000 |
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The National Basketball Association or NBA is one of the four major professional leagues played in the U.S. Most surveys tell us that the NBA is the 3rd most popular sport in the US territory. Through the NBA league, numerous athletes have become famous and have earned millions. But, what about the commentators? Who keeps us hooked up to the TV screens and the match with their styles? How much do NBA commentators get paid? We shall find in this article.
What are Annual Salaries of Top NBA Commentators 2022?
| NBA Commentators | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Stephen Smith | 10 Million USD |
| Bob Costas | 7 Million USD |
| Mike Greenberg | 6.5 Million USD |
| Tony Kornheiser | 6 Million USD |
| Michael Wilbon | 6 Million USD |
| Al Michaels | 6 Million USD |
| Skip Bayless | 6 Million USD |
| Charles Barkley | 5 Million USD |
| Michelle Beadle | 5 Million USD |
| Dan Patrick | 5 Million USD |
| Jalen Rose | 3 Million USD |
| Linda Cohn | 3 Million USD |
| Grant Hill | 2 Million USD |
| Manv Albert | 2 Million USD |
| Jay Bilas | 2 Million USD |
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NBA Commentators: The Voice of The Game
No matter how well the athletes play during the game, it still remains incomplete without the presence of a commentator. It is essential to have a voice that adds life to the game. The enthusiasm in the voice of the commentators expresses the beauty of the game. The better the commentary, the better the picture of the game is painted in the audience’s mind. Thus, commentators are a true asset to any sporting event.
The NBA announcers are known to ignite the fire within the crowd. They also share important details from time to time throughout the match and are also a source of entertainment apart from the mascots. Most teams have public address announcers as a part of their team. The fans and the players know them because of their signature style and the famous lines before every home game. As big as the NBA is, do NBA commentators’ salaries do justice with the effort they put in the game? We shall find out further in this article?
It is for a fact that the NBA commentator’s salary increases if they are affiliated with big networks, like TNT, ABC, or ESPN. Mostly, the salary of NBA announcers is in the six-figure range in most cases.
What are the Salaries of the Best NBA Commentators?
On average NBA commentators’ salary is between $80,000 to $100,000 a year. A game as fast as basketball requires commentators that can keep up with the fast action and keep the crowd pumped with their unique voice and style of delivery. This is the art that only a few can master, and thus we have listed down the best NBA commentators and how much do NBA commentators make. Have a look below!
1. Stephen A. Smith
Stephen is one of the popular commentators in the US. Till 52 years of age, he has been a host of the TV show First Take and also features on the SportsCenter as an NBA analyst. Smith is famous for his sharp and witty commentary and a desired part of ESPN and deserves every penny of what he earns. Being the best announcer for the NBA, this famous personality earns a whopping $10 million annually.
2. Michael Wilbon
Followed by smith, Michael Wilbon is also a key part of the ESPN channel and is also the co-host of the TV show “Pardon the Interruption”. Like our previous announcer, Wilbon is also an experienced sportscaster and an announcer. His sharp commentary keeps the fan glued to the screen. Apart from the NBA, Wilbon has also been a part of leagues like the NFL and MLB as well. The NBA commentators salary for Wilbon is set at $6 million per year.
3. Charles Barkley
Apart from being one of the best ever NBA players in history, Barkley is one of the top earners as a commentator too. Not only did he have an amazing career as a power forward, he is enjoying his life after retirement too. The NBA journalist salary of Charles Barkley is $5 million dollars per year. This former NBA star player works as an analyst on TNT and has been a part of it for almost 20 years.
4. Michelle Beadle
Beadle is another powerhouse of talent and is an important member of ESPN. She has worked as a reporter and is also a co-host of the morning TV show Get Up!. Plus, she is also the co-host of the TV show SportsNation on ESPN2. This 44-year-old lady with her huge experience and decent commentary style has won the hearts of many NBA fans. The NBA commentators salary for Beadle is $5 million a year.
5. Jalen Rose
Jalen Rose is also a former professional basketball player who has played for 6 NBA sides. The former shooting guard found his way to stick with basketball and eventually became a sports analyst and is working with the famous company ESPN as one. Rose is not only a good host but an excellent broadcaster. His knowledge regarding various sports and not basketball has landed him on our top 5 list. The NBA commentator’s salary for Jalen Rose is $3 million a year.
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Conclusion
Broadcasting and commentary is a highly competitive field. Most people out there apply for entry-level jobs and have a knack for being a good speaker and seek the attention of the listeners, this makes the job of a commentator quite competitive. However, the effort they put in to keep the game interesting makes NBA announcers’ salaries worth every penny.
FAQs
How much do NBA commentators get paid?
NBA commentators earn an average of $80,000 per year.
How much do NBA commentators make per week?
NBA commentators can make $1,500 per week.
On what factors do the NBA commentators’ salaries depend?
NBA commentators’ salary increases if they are affiliated with big networks, like TNT, ABC, or ESPN.
Who is the highest-paid basketball commentator?
The following are the highest-paid basketball commentators:
- Stephen A. Smith
- Michael Wilbon
- Charles Barkley
- Michelle Beadle
- Jalen Rose
