Kirk Herbstreit net worth in 2024 is a hot topic for college football fans. As one of the most recognizable faces in sports broadcasting, Kirk has become a trusted voice for millions who follow the game. His work as a college football analyst has made him a household name over the years.
Let’s take a closer look at his income and how he became so successful.
| Full Name | Kirk Herbstreit |
| Date of Birth | August 19, 1969 |
| Place of Birth | Kettering, Ohio, United States |
| Occupation | Sports Analyst, Former Football Player |
| Height | 6 feet 3 inches (193 cm) |
| Spouse | Allison Butler |
| Children | Zach, Chase, Jake, and Tye |
| Net Worth | $12 million |
What is Kirk Herbstreit Net Worth in 2024?
Kirk Herbstreit is an American sports commentator with a net worth of $12 million as of 2024. Kirk Herbstreit makes most of his money from his work as a college football analyst for ESPN.
He is a main part of shows like College GameDay and covers games during the season. His job with ESPN pays him a lot because he’s one of the most popular voices in college football.
Besides his ESPN work, he sometimes does commentary for NFL games and earns money from endorsements and appearances. These roles all add to his wealth.
Kirk Herbstreit’s Early Life
Kirk Herbstreit was born Kirk Edward Herbstreit in Centerville, Ohio, on August 19, 1969. He grew up in a sports-loving family. His father, Jim Herbstreit, was an assistant coach at Ohio State University.
Kirk went to Centerville High School, where he became the quarterback for the football team. In his senior year, he earned the title of Ohio Gatorade Player of the Year. Kirk also enjoyed playing baseball and basketball, showing his love for sports.
Early Career
Kirk Herbstreit joined the Ohio State Buckeyes right after John Cooper became head coach. He played as a quarterback from 1989 to 1993. Kirk waited for his chance to start, sitting behind Greg Frey and Kent Graham. In his senior year, he finally became the team leader. That year, he was a co-captain with Steve Tovar and was named team MVP. Kirk threw for 1,904 yards, including four games with over 200 yards. One highlight was a rivalry game against Michigan where he set a record with 28 completions and 271 yards in a 13–13 tie. His record lasted until Troy Smith broke it years later.
Family Legacy at Ohio State
Kirk’s father, Jim Herbstreit, was also an Ohio State co-captain and later became an assistant coach under Woody Hayes. When Kirk became co-captain in 1992, he and his dad became one of only two father-son duos to hold that honor for Ohio State. This family connection made their story special in Buckeye history.
Charity and Community Work
Kirk supports many causes like the Buckeye Cruise for Cancer and the Make-A-Wish Foundation Ultimate Sports Auction. His work helps people in need and shows his commitment off the field.
College Gameday and National Kickoff Classic
Kirk is a familiar face on ESPN’s College Gameday, where he talks about college football with Lee Corso and others. He also started the Kirk Herbstreit National Kickoff Classic. This event brings top high school football teams from Ohio, Texas, and other states to compete over Labor Day weekend. Games are played in big stadiums like Ohio Stadium and AT&T Stadium, giving young athletes a spotlight.
Legal Case with the IRS
In 2009, Kirk sued the IRS over tax deductions for donating houses to fire departments for training. This case gained attention and added another layer to his career.
Kirk Herbstreit’s Broadcasting Career
Career with ESPN
Kirk Herbstreit started working with ESPN in September 1995. He began as a college football sideline analyst. The next year, he joined College GameDay as a lead analyst. He has been part of the show ever since. His co-hosts include Rece Davis, Desmond Howard, Pat McAfee, Lee Corso, and Nick Saban.
Roles and Contributions
Herbstreit is also the lead game analyst for ESPN and ABC. He calls big games every week, traveling for ABC Saturday Night Football. He works with Chris Fowler and Holly Rowe. He has been recognized for his work, including a nomination for a 1997 Sports Emmy Award.
Writing and Media Appearances
In addition to his TV work, Herbstreit wrote a weekly column called Inside The Game With Kirk Herbstreit for The Sporting News. He has also written for ESPN.com and ESPN The Magazine. He has been a color commentator for ESPN’s Thursday night college football games.
Special Roles and New Opportunities
In 2007, Herbstreit appeared on the show Who’s Now with Keyshawn Johnson and Michael Wilbon. He also contributed to 97.1 The Fan, an ESPN Radio station in Columbus, Ohio.
In 2018, Herbstreit replaced Jon Gruden for ESPN’s NFL Draft coverage. When ABC took over the first two nights of the Draft, Herbstreit joined them. In 2020, he called the first game of Monday Night Football alongside Chris Fowler. They also worked a special Monday Night Football game for the Saints-Raiders matchup in Las Vegas.
New Role with Amazon
In 2022, Herbstreit became the new color commentator for Thursday Night Football on Prime Video. He works with Al Michaels on the broadcast. He also extended his contract with ESPN to continue his roles with GameDay, Saturday Night Football, and the NFL Draft.
Kirk Herbstreit’s Personal Life
Family
Kirk Herbstreit met his wife, Alison Butler, at Ohio State University. Alison was a cheerleader. They got married in 1998 and have four sons. The family moved from Ohio to Nashville in 2011. Now, they spend time between Nashville and Cincinnati. Their youngest son, Chase, plays quarterback at St. Xavier High School.
Sons in Sports
Kirk’s twin sons, Jake and Tye, were athletes at Montgomery Bell Academy. Tye is now a walk-on football player at Clemson University. Jake started as a walk-on at Clemson but later transferred to Ohio State to focus on academics. Another son, Zak, joined the Ohio State football team as a walk-on tight end.
Faith in His Life
Kirk is a Christian and says faith is very important to him. He shared that he tries to follow his faith every day.
Hobbies and Interests
Kirk loves playing EA Sports video games and working out. He is a big fan of horse racing. Kirk also supports Ohio teams like the Cincinnati Bengals, Columbus Blue Jackets, and Cincinnati Reds. He was featured in the documentary How We Lookin’? about Reds broadcaster Marty Brennaman.
Ben’s Story
The Herbstreit family has four golden retrievers. One of them, Ben, was a certified emotional support animal. Ben often traveled with Kirk to games and was loved by fans. Sadly, Ben passed away in 2024 from leukemia.
Kirk Herbstreit’s Awards
A Sports Icon
Kirk Herbstreit is a famous sports analyst. He has won five Sports Emmy Awards for his amazing work. These include three awards as Outstanding Studio Analyst and two as Outstanding Event Analyst. His talent and passion make him stand out in the sports world.
Hall of Fame Recognition
Kirk was inducted into the Rose Bowl Hall of Fame in 2023. This is a huge honor for his contributions to football. It shows how much his work means to the sport.
