Breaking Down the Real Cris Collinsworth Net Worth

Cris Collinsworth has become a familiar voice in millions of living rooms every football season, but long before the commentary booth, he was making plays on the field as a standout NFL wide receiver. Over the years, he’s built a reputation not just for his football IQ, but also for his work ethic and business smarts.

Naturally, fans and curious viewers alike have started to wonder about Cris Collinsworth’s net worth—how much he’s earned from both his time in the NFL and his post-playing career. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the numbers behind his success.

Who is Cris Collinsworth?

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Cris Collinsworth is a former professional football player turned acclaimed sports broadcaster, known for his deep knowledge of the game and smooth delivery on national broadcasts. Born on January 27, 1959, in Dayton, Ohio, he grew up in a sports-oriented family and quickly showed promise as an athlete. He initially played quarterback in high school but later transitioned to wide receiver—a move that would shape the rest of his football career.

Collinsworth attended the University of Florida, where he played for the Florida Gators and earned All-American honors. His impressive college career led to him being drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals in the second round of the 1981 NFL Draft. He spent his entire eight-year NFL career (1981–1988) with the Bengals, becoming one of the team’s most reliable and productive receivers.

After retiring from football, Collinsworth smoothly transitioned into broadcasting, beginning with radio and eventually landing on national television. His articulate analysis and firsthand experience as a player quickly made him a respected figure in sports media. Though he’s best known today for his work on NBC’s Sunday Night Football, his roots in the game run deep, both as a player and a student of the sport.

Estimated Net Worth

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Cris Collinsworth has built a lasting legacy in both professional sports and broadcasting, and his financial success reflects that. As of 2025, Cris Collinsworth’s net worth is estimated to be around $25 million, according to sources like Celebrity Net Worth. His earnings are the result of a diversified career spanning professional football, high-paying television roles, and smart business investments that have paid off over time.

NFL Career Earnings

Collinsworth spent eight seasons (1981–1988) as a wide receiver for the Cincinnati Bengals, where he became a three-time Pro Bowler and a key figure in the team’s offense. During his career, he signed a notable four-year contract in 1985 worth $2.1 million, with salaries ranging from $350,000 to $550,000 per year, which was a substantial income for an NFL player during that era.

Though contracts from his early years aren’t fully detailed, it’s estimated he earned roughly $2.5 to $3 million total as a player—modest by today’s NFL standards but significant at the time.

Broadcasting Career Income

After retiring from the NFL, Collinsworth seamlessly transitioned into sports broadcasting, initially working with networks like NBC Sports and Fox. His most recognizable role came when he became the lead analyst for NBC’s Sunday Night Football in 2009, a position he still holds. In 2021, he signed a lucrative contract extension with NBC reportedly worth $12.5 million per year, according to Sportsnaut.

This places him among the top five highest-paid sports broadcasters, though slightly behind fellow NFL analysts Tony Romo and Troy Aikman, who reportedly make around $18 million annually. His role as a commentator brings both prestige and steady, high income—making it one of his most significant revenue streams today.

Pro Football Focus (PFF)

One of Collinsworth’s smartest and most lucrative ventures has been his involvement with Pro Football Focus (PFF), a football analytics company he acquired in 2014 for a reported $6 million. Under his leadership, PFF has grown into a major player in football data analytics, widely used by NFL teams, media, and fans. In 2021, PFF’s valuation reportedly hit $160 million, following a major minority stake sale to investment firm Silver Lake for $50 million.

Although exact ownership percentages are not public, Collinsworth has maintained majority ownership, meaning his personal stake in the company could now be worth tens of millions of dollars. PFF’s growth has not only enhanced his credibility in the football world but also significantly boosted his financial portfolio.