Wednesday, May 6, 2026

Mina Kimes Gets Major Pay Bump Under New ESPN Deal

  • Kimes, who was in the six-figure range annually under her prior deal, will make about $1.7 million per year under the new deal. 
  • Kimes joined ESPN in 2014, and has been a key member of ESPN’s NFL coverage for years.
Mina Kimes
ESPN Images.

Mina Kimes agreed to a multiyear extension at ESPN, Front Office Sports confirmed on Wednesday. 

Kimes has been at ESPN since 2014 when she was hired to write for the since-shuttered “ESPN The Magazine,” and her profile skyrocketed as she transitioned to on-air duties on “NFL Live” and other slots in recent years. 

Kimes, who was in the six-figure range annually under her prior deal, will make about $1.7 million per year under the new deal. 

ESPN is expected to make an official announcement of the extension by week’s end. The New York Post was the first outlet to report the deal. 

Beyond ESPN, Dan Le Batard led off his show Wednesday by announcing Kimes had signed a new deal with Meadowlark Media. She will continue to appear weekly on “The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz.” 

Kimes will also continue her podcast, which is produced by Peyton Manning’s Omaha Productions as part of a partnership with ESPN. 

Kimes’ extension comes after ESPN made a series of personnel cuts — including NFL analysts ​​Todd McShay, Steve Young, and Keyshawn Johnson — earlier this summer. 

Pat McAfee addressed the layoffs of about 20 on-air personalities in July after ESPN agreed to pay a reported $85 million over five years to bring his daily show to the network. McAfee was already a college football analyst, a gig the former NFL punter started at ESPN last year. 

“Some absolute legends, that we all respect, in the sports world were trending for losing jobs,” McAfee wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter. “That sucks … no matter how you slice it.”

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Sign up for
The Memo Newsletter

Get the biggest stories and best analysis on the business of sports delivered to your inbox twice every weekday and twice on weekends.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Tottenham Spurs

Tottenham Hotspur Is Facing a Billion-Dollar Disaster

A seemingly improbable drop to England’s second tier is a tangible possibility.

ESPN Revenue Rises, but Disney’s Sports Profits Slip

Disney detailed the impact of heightened sports rights fees on the company.
Jul 20, 2024; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Former NFL football player Shannon Sharpe in attendance of the WNBA All Star Game at Footprint Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Could Skip Bayless ESPN Return Mean Shannon Sharpe Is Next?

A source says Sharpe’s return isn’t currently under consideration.
Cricket - Indian Premier League - IPL - Final - Royal Challengers Bengaluru v Punjab Kings - Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad, India - June 4, 2025 Royal Challengers Bengaluru's Rajat Patidar lifts the trophy as he celebrates with teammates after winning the Indian Premier League

How Private Equity Fell in Love With Indian Cricket

India’s U.S.-style cricket league has become a private-equity playground.

Featured Today

Kaitlin Oaks (left) from Tampa looks at photos with Layla Abutha from Tampa while attending Thurby at Churchill Downs during the week of Kentucky Derby on Thursday, April 30, 2026.

Kentucky Derby Is Courting Gen Z

Churchill Downs is mixing traditional splendor with a youthful atmosphere.
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - MARCH 25: Caitlin Clark of the Indiana Fever sits on the baseline and makes photographs during the Indiana Pacers game against the Los Angeles Lakers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on March 25, 2026 in Indianapolis, Indiana.
April 22, 2026

Why Athletes Are Moonlighting As Sports Photographers

Athletes are swapping courtside seats for sideline cameras.
Quinnipiac women's varsity rugby
April 21, 2026

The Death of Quinnipiac Women’s Varsity Rugby

The sudden decision at Ilona Maher’s alma mater left players blindsided.
April 17, 2026

The Lawyer Steering the NIL Era

In the new era of college sports, Darren Heitner is everywhere.
May 2, 2026; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Philadelphia 76ers guard Tyrese Maxey (0) drives past Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown (7) during the first quarter of game seven of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at TD Garden.

First Round of NBA Playoffs Reaches 33-Year Viewership High

Game 7 of the 76ers-Celtics series averaged 11 million viewers.
May 3, 2026; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman J.J. Moser (90) and Montreal Canadiens forward Kirby Dach (77) chase the puck during the third period in game seven of the first round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Benchmark International Arena. Mandatory Credit: Morgan Tencza-Imagn Images
May 5, 2026

NHL First-Round Playoff Ratings Up Nearly 70%

ESPN and TNT Sports each averaged 1.2 million viewers per game.
exclusive
May 6, 2026

Grant Horvat Among YouTube Golf Stars Joining Wasserman’s The Team

Golf creators Grant Horvat and the Bryan Brothers land major sports representation deals.
Sponsored

What Is It Like to Run the Knicks?

Dave Checketts on his time running the Knicks & Jazz, Jordan war stories, and his investment strategy across major sports leagues.
Feb 8, 2026; Santa Clara, CA, USA; Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Cooper Kupp (10) catches a pass against New England Patriots cornerback Marcus Jones (25) in the first half in Super Bowl LX at Levi's Stadium.
May 5, 2026

Nielsen’s New Ratings Formula Could Boost Viewership Numbers

The pilot program shows a sizable lift in viewing audiences.
Feb 22, 2026; Inglewood, California, USA; LA Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard (2) reacts against the Orlando Magic in the second half at Intuit Dome. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
May 5, 2026

Pablo Torre’s Pulitzer Puts Kawhi Investigation Back in Spotlight

The league’s investigation remains ongoing.
Peter Schmeichel
exclusive
May 5, 2026

Danish Legend Peter Schmeichel Joins Fox World Cup Coverage

Schmeichel played goalie for Denmark in four World Cups.
Atlanta, GA - March 7, 2026 - Turner Studios: Shaquille O'Neal , Ernie Johnson, Kenny Smith, and Charles Barkley during the 2026 NBA marketing campaign featuring Inside the NBA on ESPN.
May 4, 2026

Vrabel-Russini Jab Proves ESPN Is Keeping ‘Inside the NBA’ Promise

ESPN licenses the popular studio show from TNT Sports.