• Loading stock data...
Saturday, November 29, 2025

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.”

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Big League Wiffle Ball

Celebrity-Backed Wiffle Ball Has Big-League Aspirations

Big League Wiffle Ball team owners include Kevin Costner and David Adelman.
Verstappen

F1 Las Vegas Grand Prix Breaks Viewership Record In Year 3

The previous two races started at 1 a.m. ET. 
Elle Duncan
exclusive

Elle Duncan’s Exit Sets Off ‘Stampede’ Inside ESPN

Duncan will likely leave ESPN entirely at the end of this year.

ESPN, CFP Push Expansion Deadline Back Nearly Two Months

The Dec. 1 decision deadline is moving to Jan. 23.

Featured Today

How NBA Arena Experiences Went Ultra-Luxe

For the most connected guests, the game has become a secondary attraction.
Nov 23, 2025; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) throws a pass against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the fourth quarter at SoFi Stadium.
November 24, 2025

Stafford, Rams Rise From the Pack to Super Bowl Contention

The NFL team now has the top odds to win Super Bowl LX.
Nov 16, 2025; Orlando, Florida, USA; NJ/NY Gotham FC celebrate after scoring during extra time against Orlando Pride at Inter&Co Stadium
November 22, 2025

The NWSL Is Growing at Breakneck Pace. Can It Keep Surging?

While the league surges, it also must survive two major challenges.
Trinity Rodman
November 20, 2025

NWSL Regular-Season Ratings See Big Surge, Playoffs Up 5%

Regular-season viewership grew by over 20%, averaging more than 200,000.
Detroit Lions cornerback D.J. Reed (4) celebrates 34-27 win over New York Giants in overtime at Ford Field in Detroit on Sunday, Nov. 23, 2025.

NFL Thanksgiving Game on Tubi Might Help Fox Break Records

The game’s simulcast on the ad-supported Tubi could be highly impactful.
Nov 29, 2024; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; A general view of the Amazon Black Friday logo on stage prior to a game between the Kansas City Chiefs and Las Vegas Raiders at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium.
November 26, 2025

Amazon Readies Black Friday Sports Bonanza With NFL, NBA, Golf

Amazon has 15 hours of live sports for the post-Thanksgiving holiday.
The new Warner Bros. Discovery sign at Discovery HQ photographed in Knoxville, Tenn. on Thursday, July 7, 2022.
November 26, 2025

WBD Seeks Sweetened Bids From Suitors—Due Dec. 1

The TNT Sports parent company is looking for elevated bids.
Sponsored

NFL QB Christian Ponder Is Preparing Athletes for Business

Former NFL quarterback Christian Ponder discusses the transition from field to boardroom.
Nov 21, 2021; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce (87) scores against the Dallas Cowboys during the first half at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium.
November 25, 2025

Chiefs vs. Cowboys Could Draw Record 50M-Plus Viewers

One exec describes Thanksgiving showdown as a “perfect storm” for TV ratings.
Nov 22, 2025; Sunrise, Florida, USA; Florida Panthers center Sam Reinhart (13) celebrates with teammates after scoring against the Edmonton Oilers during the second period at Amerant Bank Arena.
November 24, 2025

Sinclair Makes Bid for Rival TV Station Owner Scripps

The local media giant details its desire for greater scale.
Nov 23, 2025; Inglewood, California, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Tez Johnson (15) poses for a television camera after scoring a touchdown against the Los Angeles Rams during the second quarter at SoFi Stadium.
November 24, 2025

Fubo-NBCUniversal Is Latest Carriage Dispute to Hit Subscribers

NBCUniversal channels are now gone from the streaming-based service.
November 23, 2025

Penalties in Vegas Reignite F1 Title Fight—and ESPN’s Final Stretch

There are two races and a sprint race remaining in the calendar.