Wednesday, July 15, 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

Apr 16, 2026; Fort Worth, TX, USA; A view of the ESPN logo before the semifinals for the 2026 NCAA Women’s Gymnastics National Championships at Dickies Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

ESPN Blames Human for Headline Error in AI Article

ESPN has been using AI to write certain game recaps since 2024.
Feb 5, 2025; New Orleans, LA, USA; The ESPN logo at the Super Bowl LIX media center at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
Exclusive

ESPN Ending Syndicated Version of ‘Good Morning Football’

‘GMFB: Overtime’ first launched in 2024.

What the World Cup Means to Erling Haaland’s Tiny Hometown

The tournament’s breakout star is from a rural Norwegian town.

Why So Many Media Outlets Are Rushing Into Sports

Sports coverage has ballooned in every corner of media.
podcast thumbnail mobile
Front Office Sports Today

7/15/26 – England vs Argentina, Michigan Athletics Investigation Latest, MLB Labor War

0:00

Featured Today

Pillow Fight Championship

How Obscure Sports Get Mainstream TV Deals

For niche sports, getting on TV often matters more than getting paid.
ATLANTA, GA - September 05: Georgia Lottery fireworks after the game against the Seattle Mariners at Truist Park on Friday, September 5, 2025 in Atlanta, Georgia.
July 2, 2026

Inside the Spectacle and Science of MLB Fireworks

Postgame fireworks are lighting up baseball for America250.
Kansas City Chiefs
July 1, 2026

NFL Teams Push to Turn Futbol Fans Into Football Devotees

NFL teams are courting international soccer fans during their World Cup visits.
June 26, 2026

What We Saw Traveling the U.S. for the World Cup Group Stage

The knockout stage begins Sunday.
June 26, 2026

In an Era of $1,000 Tickets, $10 Watch Parties Bring Fans Together

Stadium watch parties now rival home-game experiences.
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA- JULY 13: during the Home Run Derby at Citizens Bank Park on July 13, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Heather Barry / Netflix)
Opinion

Netflix Bounces Back With Home Run Derby Debut

After its panned coverage of Opening Night, Netflix focused on the field.
July 13, 2026

12 States Sue to Block Paramount’s $110B WBD Deal

The plaintiff states point to widespread prospective harms.
John Smoltz acknowledges the crowd during the introduction of returning inductees at the National Baseball Hall of Fame's 2024 induction ceremony Sunday, July 21, 2024, at the Clark Sports Center in Cooperstown, New York.
July 14, 2026

John Smoltz: MLB All-Star Game Is ‘Absolutely’ Still the Best

The Hall of Fame pitcher will call the Midsummer Classic for Fox.
Sponsored

Clase Azul Tequila Founder’s Soccer Ownership

Arturo Lomeli talks about managing a tequila brand and two soccer clubs.
June 25, 2026; Inglewood, California, U.S.; Christian Pulisic of the U.S. during the warm up before the match. Mandatory Credit: Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images
July 13, 2026

Christian Pulisic World Cup Fiasco a Cautionary Tale for Marketers

Commercials featuring Pulisic have been a reminder of his World Cup showing.
July 12, 2026

Netflix Revamps MLB Home Run Derby

The streaming giant will have arguably its biggest baseball presence to date.
Jan 7, 2023; Boulder, Colorado, USA; PAC 12 sports broadcaster Jacob Tobey prior to the game between the Oregon State Beavers against the Colorado Buffaloes at CU Events Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
Exclusive
July 9, 2026

Jacob Tobey Out as Spurs Announcer After Affair Allegation

Tobey had been calling Spurs games since 2024.
Jan 8, 2024; Houston, TX, USA; Adam Schefter talks on a set before the 2024 College Football Playoff national championship game between the Michigan Wolverines and the Washington Huskies at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Exclusive
July 9, 2026

Adam Schefter Nearing Long-Term ESPN Extension

The agreement would keep Schefter under contract into the 2030s.