Brent Musburger Net Worth

Brent Musburger’s Net Worth and Career: A Comprehensive Look

Brent Musburger, the iconic American sportscaster, has left an indelible mark on the world of sports broadcasting. Known for his charismatic presence, distinctive voice, and decades of experience, Musburger has become a household name. This article delves into his net worth, career highlights, personal life, and the controversies that have shaped his journey.

Early Life and Education

Born on May 26, 1939, in Portland, Oregon, Brent Musburger’s early life was rooted in Billings, Montana. He was raised by his parents, Beryl and Cec, and had a brother named Todd, who would later become a prominent media attorney and sports agent. As a young man, Musburger’s youthful exuberance occasionally led him astray. To instill discipline, his parents sent him to Shattuck-St. Mary’s boarding school in Faribault, Minnesota. For his higher education, Musburger attended Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois, where he earned a degree in journalism. This early education set the stage for his future career in media.

Career Beginnings

Musburger’s professional journey began as a sportswriter for the Chicago American newspaper. Here, he honed his writing skills, working alongside notable sportswriter Warren Brown. This experience laid the groundwork for his transition into broadcasting. Musburger, however, courted significant controversy early in his career. In 1968, he wrote a column criticizing Olympic athletes Tommie Smith and John Carlos’s Black Power salute during the medal ceremony. His commentary, where he described them as “black-skinned stormtroopers,” sparked debate that followed him for years.

CBS Sports: The Rise to National Fame

In the late 1960s, Musburger embarked on a 22-year association with CBS, starting as a sports anchor for WBBM radio and later moving to WBBM-TV. His move to Los Angeles in the mid-1970s saw him anchoring news and sports for KNXT (now KCBS-TV), where he worked alongside Connie Chung. In 1973, Musburger started doing play-by-play announcements for NFL games on CBS Sports. He initially paired with Tommy Mason or Bart Starr, and later with Wayne Walker. His career reached a pivotal point in 1975 when he became the host of “The NFL Today,” the network’s flagship NFL studio show. This role catapulted him to national fame. During his tenure until 1990, the NFL pregame show consistently held the top spot in ratings, solidifying Musburger’s status as a broadcasting icon.

Musburger’s success on “The NFL Today” opened doors to a wide array of assignments for CBS Sports. He covered college football and basketball, NBA games, tennis championships, horse races, and golf tournaments. Additionally, he covered MLB games on CBS Radio. He is credited with coining the popular term “March Madness” to refer to the annual NCAA Division I men’s basketball tournament. However, due to major management changes, Musburger was fired from CBS in 1990, ending his long run with the network.

ABC Sports and ESPN: Continuing the Legacy

Following his departure from CBS, Musburger joined ABC Sports, where he primarily covered college football and basketball. After the merger of ABC and ESPN, his responsibilities expanded to include MLB and NBA games, golf tournaments, horse races, and the Indianapolis 500. He also hosted halftime on “Monday Night Football” and provided play-by-play announcements on “Saturday Night Football” and ESPN’s SEC Network. Musburger also hosted coverage of the 1998 and 2006 World Cups and the Tour de France. Musburger was particularly well known on ABC and ESPN for his coverage of major college football championships, notably BCS National Championship games, of which he called seven from 2000 to 2014. He also called the Rose Bowl in 2007. After 27 years with the networks, Musburger left ABC and ESPN in early 2017.

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VSiN and the Raiders: Later Career Moves

Shortly after leaving ABC and ESPN, Musburger became the lead on-air personality for the Vegas Stats & Information Network (VSiN). Launched by his brother Todd, nephew Brian, and documentary film producer Dave Berg, VSiN is a sports betting radio network and streaming television channel based in Las Vegas, Nevada. He hosted the weekday program “My Guys in the Desert.” In 2021, the family sold the network to DraftKings while remaining in their positions as executives and on-air personalities. In 2018, Musburger returned to sportscasting as the play-by-play radio announcer for the NFL’s Oakland Raiders, a role he continued through the 2021 season after the team’s move to Las Vegas.

Other Media Appearances

Beyond his broadcasting career, Musburger has also made several media appearances. He played a reporter in the boxing film “Rocky II” and had cameo roles in the sports comedies “The Main Event” and “The Waterboy.” He also lent his voice to the character Brent Mustangburger, a fictionalized version of himself, in the animated films “Cars 2” and “Planes.” These appearances showcase his versatility and widespread appeal.

Personal Life and Real Estate

Brent Musburger has been married to Arlene Sander since 1963. Together, they have two sons, Blake and Scott. In 1994, the couple purchased a lakefront mansion in Jupiter, Florida, for $1.245 million. They sold the property in May 2017 for $2 million after listing it in March 2017 for $2.45 million.

Conclusion

Brent Musburger’s career is a testament to his enduring talent and charismatic personality. From his early days as a sportswriter to his iconic status as a leading broadcaster, he has consistently captivated audiences. Despite controversies, his impact on sports broadcasting is undeniable. His net worth reflects his success, and his legacy continues to inspire generations of sports enthusiasts and aspiring broadcasters.