Saturday, July 18, 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

Tom's Watch Bar

Sports Bars Are Cashing In From Summer of Soccer

The World Cup has brought a windfall to America’s biggest sports bars.
2026 ESPY Awards New York Knicks

5 Takeaways From the 2026 ESPY Awards

The annual ESPN awards show returned to New York this year.
Jun 16, 2026; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; France forward Michael Olise (11) controls the ball against Senegal during a Group I match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup at New York New Jersey Stadium

Where World Cup Stars Go to Customize Their Cleats

The world’s best players turn to a Scottish craftsman for perfect cleats.
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.
podcast thumbnail mobile
Front Office Sports Today

A Conversation with Nate Burleson on Russell Wilson at CBS, Travis Kelce’s Media Future, and Seahawks $9.6B Sale

0:00

Featured Today

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

The tournament’s breakout star is from a rural Norwegian town.
July 10, 2026

Why So Many Media Outlets Are Rushing Into Sports

Sports coverage has ballooned in every corner of media.
Pillow Fight Championship
July 8, 2026

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.
Apr 18, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) reacts against the Houston Rockets during game one of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Silver Wants LeBron Decision So NBA Can Finalize Schedule

James’s free agency choice will help shape the NBA’s national TV schedule.
Jul 13, 2026; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Tampa Bay Rays third baseman Junior Caminero (13) bats in the second round of the All Star-Home Run Derby at Citizens Bank Park.
July 17, 2026

Home Run Derby Ratings Drop 7% on Netflix

The event’s pivot to streaming results in a slightly lower average audience.
Gilbert Arenas Podcast Playmaker
Exclusive
July 17, 2026

Gilbert Arenas Podcast Lands at Playmaker After Underdog Exit

Arenas recently departed Underdog after three years.
Sponsored

Clase Azul Tequila Founder’s Soccer Ownership

Arturo Lomeli talks about managing a tequila brand and two soccer clubs.
Jul 14, 2026; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; General view of fireworks over Citizens Bank Park during the fourth inning of the All-Star Game.
July 16, 2026

MLB All-Star Game Ratings Get a Boost From World Cup

The midseason showcase’s audience rises with a World Cup lead-in.
Jul 11, 2026; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Conor McGregor (right) attempts a flying kick at the start of his fight against Max Holloway during UFC 329 at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY
July 16, 2026

McGregor Return Draws Nearly 16 Million Viewers on Paramount+

UFC 329 trailed Freedom 250 in total and average viewership.
Nate Burleson Front Office Sports
July 16, 2026

Nate Burleson: ‘I’d Gladly Take a Pay Cut’ for CBS to Hire Travis Kelce

Burleson also had high praise for CBS’s hiring of Russell Wilson.
Adam Friedland
July 15, 2026

How the World Cup Turned Adam Friedland Into a Sports Pundit

The comedian says he’ll continue to create sports content post–World Cup.