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Tom Brady Maintains Big Gap Over ESPN’s Pat McAfee

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Ankit K. | Last updated Dec 29, 2025 1:46 PM ET

After his NFL career, Tom Brady is now topping a different kind of leaderboard.

According to Forbes, Brady finished first on the list of highest-paid TV hosts of 2025. His move from the field to the booth has paid off fast. Brady earned $37.5 million this year, the highest total among all television personalities.

That figure comes from his massive deal with Fox Sports. Brady signed a 10-year, $375 million contract in 2022 that pays roughly $37 million per year. It places him right near what he once earned during his best NFL seasons. In 2021 with Tampa Bay, Brady made $39.4 million, his single-season peak as a player. Now, broadcasting brings similar money without the hits.

"We are pleased to announce that immediately following his playing career, 7-time Super Bowl Champion Tom Brady will be joining us at @FOXSports as our lead analyst. pic.twitter.com/fJTOQJ9BwM
— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) May 10, 2022

Sports voices were well represented across the list. ESPN's Pat McAfee appeared among the top earners, pulling in $20 million, same as ESPN personalisty Stephen A. Smith and $1 million less than NBA analyst Charles Barkley (ABC/ESPN).

McAfee’s five-year agreement with ESPN pays him about $17 million annually. His daily show and college football coverage have become major drivers for the network.

Several other former players made the list. Michael Strahan (Fox), Troy Aikman (ESPN) and Tony Romo (CBS) all landed on the list. Their continued presence shows how networks still lean on football credibility to draw viewers.

Here's the full list of Forbes' TV Presenters from 1 to 20.


Rank	Host	Earnings
1	Tom Brady	$37.5M
2	Guy Fieri	$33M
3	Bobby Flay	$33M
4	Gordon Ramsay	$33M
5	John Oliver	$30M
6	Judy Sheindlin	$30M
7	Ryan Seacrest	$29M
8	Michael Strahan	$26M
9	Sean Hannity	$25M
10	Rachel Maddow	$25M
11	Robin Roberts	$25M
12	Savannah Guthrie	$24M
13	Kelly Ripa	$22M
14	Charles Barkley	$21M
15	Stephen A. Smith	$20M
16	Pat McAfee	$20M
17	Troy Aikman	$18M
18	Tony Romo	$18M
19	Anderson Cooper	$18M
20	Steve Harvey	$17M

Food television dominated just behind Brady. Guy Fieri, Bobby Flay and Gordon Ramsay each earned $33 million. Their shows continue to deliver steady ratings across platforms.

Since retiring in 2023, Brady has expanded far beyond TV. He holds ownership stakes in the Las Vegas Raiders, Las Vegas Aces and Birmingham City FC. Broadcasting may lead his income, but his off-field empire keeps growing fast.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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