$4 Million – Kenny Smith
Kenny “The Jet” Smith was never a household name during his NBA playing days, but he did manage to win a championship with the Houston Rockets during his time with the team. He played an important role in the team’s success. Upon accepting the position of broadcasting host for TNT’s Inside the NBA, he saw an immediate increase in his public profile. The public got to see how witty, funny, and “cool” he was when he spoke about basketball with luminaries such as Charles Barkley and Michael Jordan.
$7 Million – Bob Costas
The sports coverage provided by Bob Costas does not come to an end. It appears that he has been doing it for centuries, and he always appears to be performing at the most important events. Some might argue that he is the most well-known broadcaster in history. He does an excellent job of understanding how sports connect with everything else that is going on in society, which contributes to his long-term success. Costas’ style of commentary makes him even more entertaining, as he prefers to show the big picture rather than just the action on the field of play.