Cris Collinsworth's Lucrative NBC Contract Extends His Broadcast Career

The former NFL wide receiver has become one of the highest-paid analysts in sports media.

Feb. 7, 2026 at 1:31am

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Cris Collinsworth, the longtime color commentator for NBC's "Sunday Night Football" broadcasts, has signed a new four-year contract extension with the network worth an estimated $12.5 million per year. The deal will keep Collinsworth, who has been with NBC since 2009, in the booth through the 2029 season, allowing him to call another Super Bowl for the network.

Why it matters

Collinsworth's new contract solidifies his status as one of the most prominent and highest-paid analysts in sports media. His ability to remain a fixture in NFL broadcasts for over a decade speaks to his popularity and influence among football fans. The deal also highlights the lucrative nature of sports broadcasting, where former players can earn significantly more than they did during their playing careers.

The details

Collinsworth's previous four-year deal with NBC was reported to be worth $50 million, or $12.5 million per year. His new contract, the terms of which were not officially disclosed, is likely in a similar range. Collinsworth spent eight seasons as a wide receiver in the NFL, all with the Cincinnati Bengals, earning a peak annual salary of $550,000 in 1988. Since transitioning to broadcasting, he has become one of the most recognizable voices in the sport, known for his analysis and catchphrases like "Now here's a guy." In addition to his NBC work, Collinsworth is the majority owner of the analytics site Pro Football Focus.

  • Collinsworth signed a new four-year contract extension with NBC in early 2025.
  • Collinsworth's new deal runs through the 2029 season, which would allow him to call another Super Bowl at NBC after Super Bowl 60.
  • As part of the NFL's four-year rotation, NBC is slated to call Super Bowl 64 in February of 2030.

The players

Cris Collinsworth

A former NFL wide receiver who has been the color commentator for NBC's "Sunday Night Football" broadcasts since 2009.

Pro Football Focus

An analytics site that Collinsworth became the majority owner of in 2014.

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What they’re saying

“Thanks for the attention, you're helping our sales. There's always a complaint, but we've spent literally tens of millions of dollars trying to perfect this system. Every NFL team, every college team, every Canadian Football League team has it ... everybody uses it.”

— Cris Collinsworth

What’s next

Collinsworth's new contract will keep him in the NBC booth through the 2029 season, allowing him to potentially call another Super Bowl for the network in 2030.

The takeaway

Cris Collinsworth's lucrative new contract with NBC underscores the immense value placed on experienced and recognizable sports broadcasters, even those who may not have been the highest-paid players during their playing careers. Collinsworth's ability to remain a fixture in NFL coverage for over a decade speaks to his enduring popularity and influence among football fans.