If you follow the NFL, you’ve likely grown quite familiar with Mike Tirico. Most known for his 15-year stint with ESPN and nine-years-and-counting run at NBC Sports, the respected sportscaster is a household name and one of the most recognizable voices in the business.
Tirico was a play-by-play announcer on ESPN’s Monday Night Football from 2006 to 2015 before moving to NBC’s Sunday Night Football alongside Cris Collinsworth. His voice has become synonymous with high-stakes, prime-time football.
Tirico is also part of NBC’s Olympics coverage, and he will reportedly have a significant role in NBC’s new NBA package — likely serving as a play-by-play announcer for NBC’s Sunday Night Basketball. But how much is Tirico paid?
What Is Mike Tirico’s Salary?
As you might expect, one of the most well-regarded sportscasters is compensated quite handsomely for his efforts.
In 2022, Bleacher Report reported that Tirico is one of the highest-paid broadcasters in the profession, with a $10.5 million salary from NBC Sports. And it’s possible he’s earning even more now that some NBA games have been added to his plate.
For comparison, Tirico’s yearly earnings are comparable to those of NFL running backs Tony Pollard and Saquon Barkley last season. In his profession, he joins prominent names like Jim Nantz, Al Michaels, and Joe Buck in the $10 million+ club.
Football fans, of course, know Tirico best for his aforementioned work calling football games. However, he’s displayed an uncanny expertise in a wide variety of sports.
The veteran broadcaster has called the Olympics, World Cup soccer, the NBA, NHL, college sports, golf, tennis, and even the Indy 500. If you name it, Tirico’s probably covered it.
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The 57-year-old graduated from highly regarded Syracuse University in 1988. While there, he was the inaugural recipient of the Bob Costas scholarship. The two would go on to work alongside one another several dozens of times. Tirico succeeded Costas as the leader of NBC’s Olympic coverage team.
Here's a literal passing of the torch from Bob Costas to Mike Tirico! pic.twitter.com/s7I3RVserE
— NBC Olympics & Paralympics (@NBCOlympics) February 9, 2017
Out of college, Tirico worked as a Sports Director for Syracuse-based WTVH, a CBS affiliate. Soon thereafter, in 1991, he caught on with ESPN as a SportsCenter anchor.
From there, Tirico’s career quickly took off.
He has proven eminently adaptable, evolving with the ever-changing sports media landscape for around three-and-a-half decades. The way people consume sports media has undergone a dramatic shift since Tirico’s broadcasting career began, but he’s proven amply prepared every step of the way.
And, yes, he is compensated accordingly.
