Cris Collinsworth Net Worth: NFL Career, Broadcasting, and Wealth

Quick Facts

Who Is Cris Collinsworth Net Worth?

Cris Collinsworth is a former NFL wide receiver, award-winning sports broadcaster, and entrepreneur with an estimated net worth of approximately $100 million. His wealth comes primarily from his long broadcasting career, high-value NBC contracts, business interests, and investment in football analytics company Pro Football Focus. Before becoming a television personality, Collinsworth spent eight seasons with the Cincinnati Bengals, earning three Pro Bowl selections and playing in two Super Bowls.

Collinsworth has since built one of the most successful second careers in sports broadcasting. He became a familiar voice on NBC’s Sunday Night Football, earned numerous Sports Emmy Awards, and developed a reputation for detailed analysis and conversational commentary.

Early Life and Background

Cris Collinsworth was born on January 27, 1959, in Dayton, Ohio, but spent much of his childhood in Florida, where his family relocated when he was young.

His father, Abraham Lincoln “Abe” Collinsworth, was an educator and former University of Kentucky basketball player who was part of Kentucky’s 1958 national championship team. His mother, Donetta Browning Collinsworth, was also an educator. Growing up in an athletic and academically focused family gave Cris an early connection to both education and competitive sports.

The family eventually settled in Titusville, Florida, where Collinsworth attended Astronaut High School. His father was the school’s principal, while Cris developed into a highly regarded multi-sport athlete.

Football became his strongest sport, but Collinsworth also demonstrated exceptional speed. During high school, he won a Florida state championship in the 100-yard dash and received All-American recognition as a quarterback.

His size, speed, and athletic ability attracted major college football programs. Collinsworth eventually accepted a scholarship to the University of Florida, beginning the next major stage of his football career.

Career Journey

Cris Collinsworth’s career developed through three major stages: college football, the NFL, and national sports broadcasting.

College Football Career

At the University of Florida, Collinsworth initially played quarterback before moving to wide receiver. The position change proved highly successful and allowed him to take full advantage of his height and speed.

He became one of the SEC’s leading receivers and earned first-team All-SEC honors three times from 1978 through 1980. In his senior season, he was named a first-team All-American and established himself as one of the country’s top wide receivers.

His college performance attracted NFL attention, and the Cincinnati Bengals selected him in the second round of the 1981 NFL Draft with the 37th overall pick.

NFL Career With the Cincinnati Bengals

Collinsworth spent his entire eight-year NFL career with the Cincinnati Bengals from 1981 through 1988.

He immediately made an impact as a rookie, recording more than 1,000 receiving yards and earning recognition as one of the league’s most promising young receivers. He eventually recorded four 1,000-yard receiving seasons.

Over 107 regular-season games, Collinsworth finished with 417 receptions, 6,698 receiving yards, and 36 touchdowns. He was selected to three Pro Bowls and became one of the most productive receivers in Bengals history.

His NFL career also included appearances in Super Bowl XVI and Super Bowl XXIII. Although Cincinnati did not win either game, playing in two Super Bowls became an important part of his professional legacy.

After the 1988 season, Collinsworth retired from professional football. Rather than leaving the sports industry, he quickly began developing a second career in television.

Professional Life and Achievements

Cris Collinsworth’s broadcasting career became even more financially and professionally successful than his time as an NFL player.

He began working in sports media in 1989 as a reporter for HBO’s Inside the NFL. In 1990, he joined NBC Sports as an NFL game analyst, beginning a broadcasting career that would eventually span several major networks.

Collinsworth later worked with Fox Sports, where he became part of the network’s lead NFL broadcasting team. His work alongside play-by-play announcer Joe Buck and analyst Troy Aikman helped establish him as one of the most recognizable voices in football television.

He returned to NBC in the 2000s and became part of Football Night in America. He eventually became the lead analyst for Sunday Night Football, initially working alongside Al Michaels and later partnering with Mike Tirico.

By 2026, Collinsworth had begun his 18th season in the Sunday Night Football booth. He also reached the milestone of calling his 500th NFL game in 2025, demonstrating the extraordinary longevity of his broadcasting career.

Sports Emmy Success

Collinsworth has received 17 individual Sports Emmy Awards, including multiple honors for Outstanding Event Analyst and Outstanding Studio Analyst.

His success at the Sports Emmys is particularly notable because the awards recognize excellence among broadcasters covering a wide range of professional sports.

He was also inducted into the Sports Broadcasting Hall of Fame Class of 2023, recognizing his long-term contribution to sports media.

Collinsworth has covered major events beyond regular NFL games, including multiple Super Bowls and Olympic Games. His career has therefore extended well beyond football analysis.

Personal Life

Cris Collinsworth has been married to Holly Bankemper Collinsworth since 1989. Holly is an attorney, and the couple has built a family life largely centered around Cincinnati and their professional commitments.

Cris and Holly have four children: Katie, Austin, Ashley, and Jac Collinsworth.

The family has maintained a strong connection to sports and professional careers. Their son Austin played football at Notre Dame and later became involved with Pro Football Focus. Their son Jac followed his father’s path into broadcasting and has worked with both ESPN and NBC Sports.

Collinsworth’s family background has therefore extended into the next generation of sports and media professionals.

His relationship with his children has also been an important part of his public identity. Despite spending significant time traveling for NFL broadcasts, Collinsworth has spoken about the importance of remaining involved in his children’s lives.

Net Worth and Income Sources

Cris Collinsworth’s estimated net worth is approximately $100 million, although his exact personal financial position is not publicly disclosed.

Unlike many former NFL players whose wealth is primarily associated with their playing careers, Collinsworth accumulated much of his wealth after retiring from football.

NBC Broadcasting Salary

His primary source of modern income has been sports broadcasting. Collinsworth became one of the highest-paid NFL television analysts in the United States as the value of premium NFL broadcasting rights increased.

Published reports have estimated that his NBC compensation has reached approximately $12.5 million per year under his previous contract. NBC signed him to another four-year extension in 2025, although the financial terms of that agreement were not publicly disclosed.

Because NFL broadcasting contracts are generally private, exact annual compensation should be treated as an estimate rather than an independently verified salary figure.

NFL Playing Career

Collinsworth also earned income during his eight-season NFL career with the Bengals. However, professional football salaries during the 1980s were significantly lower than the compensation available to today’s elite NFL broadcasters.

His playing career therefore provided the foundation for his public profile, while broadcasting became the much larger contributor to his long-term wealth.

Pro Football Focus

One of Collinsworth’s most important business ventures has been Pro Football Focus (PFF), a football analytics company that evaluates players and teams using detailed performance data.

Collinsworth acquired a majority interest in PFF and helped develop it into a major source of football analytics for teams, media organizations, fantasy players, and other users.

In 2026, Teamworks acquired PFF’s enterprise data analytics platform. Financial terms were not publicly disclosed, but Collinsworth and other PFF investors became shareholders in Teamworks, while the consumer-facing PFF business remained separate.

This transaction illustrates why Collinsworth’s financial profile extends beyond television income.

Other Professional Income

Over his decades in sports media, Collinsworth has also generated income from studio appearances, special-event broadcasting, media production, and other professional activities.

His extensive NFL experience has made his expertise valuable to broadcasters and sports organizations, further strengthening his long-term earning potential.

Lifestyle, Hobbies, and Social Impact

Cris Collinsworth’s lifestyle reflects his long involvement in professional football, broadcasting, and business rather than a public image built around celebrity entertainment.

His professional schedule has traditionally revolved around NFL games, travel, preparation, and family time. His work requires extensive film study and preparation because his role involves explaining complex football decisions to a mainstream television audience.

Collinsworth has also invested significant time in philanthropy.

In 2002, Cris and Holly founded the Cris Collinsworth ProScan Fund, a nonprofit organization focused on women’s breast health and child development. Its programs include breast cancer education, support, early detection services, and chess initiatives for children.

The organization’s chess programs are designed to encourage critical thinking, patience, concentration, confidence, and sportsmanship. Its breast-health initiatives have also provided support and screening services in the Cincinnati region.

Collinsworth’s charitable work adds another dimension to his public influence beyond football and broadcasting.

Interesting Facts About Cris Collinsworth Net Worth

1. He was born in Dayton, Ohio, but grew up largely in Florida. His family moved to Florida when he was four years old.
2. His father was a national championship basketball player. Abe Collinsworth played for the University of Kentucky’s 1958 national championship team.
3. He was originally a quarterback. Collinsworth played quarterback in high school before moving to wide receiver at the University of Florida.
4. He was an elite sprinter. As a high-school athlete, he won a Florida state championship in the 100-yard dash.
5. He was drafted in the second round. The Cincinnati Bengals selected him 37th overall in the 1981 NFL Draft.
6. He played his entire NFL career for one team. Collinsworth spent all eight of his NFL seasons with Cincinnati.
7. He played in two Super Bowls. His Bengals teams reached Super Bowl XVI and Super Bowl XXIII.
8. He earned a law degree after his NFL career began. Collinsworth graduated from the University of Cincinnati College of Law in 1991.
9. His son followed him into broadcasting. Jac Collinsworth has worked as a sports host and reporter for NBC Sports.
10. His business interests extend into football technology. Through Pro Football Focus, Collinsworth became involved in the use of advanced data and analytics to evaluate football performance.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Who is Cris Collinsworth?

Cris Collinsworth is a former Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver and one of America’s most prominent NFL television analysts. He is best known for his work on NBC’s Sunday Night Football.

How old is Cris Collinsworth?

Cris Collinsworth was born on January 27, 1959. He is 67 years old as of October 2026.

What is Cris Collinsworth’s net worth?

Cris Collinsworth’s net worth is estimated at approximately $100 million. The figure is an estimate because his complete personal finances and private investments are not publicly disclosed.

How much does Cris Collinsworth make?

Published reports have estimated that Collinsworth’s previous NBC contract paid approximately $12.5 million per year. His current four-year NBC extension, signed in 2025, has undisclosed financial terms.

How many children does Cris Collinsworth have?

Cris Collinsworth and his wife, Holly, have four children: Katie, Austin, Ashley, and Jac.

Who is Cris Collinsworth’s wife?

Cris Collinsworth’s wife is Holly Bankemper Collinsworth, an attorney. The couple married in 1989.

How long did Cris Collinsworth play in the NFL?

Collinsworth played eight seasons, from 1981 through 1988, all with the Cincinnati Bengals.

Is Cris Collinsworth in the Pro Football Hall of Fame?

Cris Collinsworth has not been inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame as a player. However, he has been recognized for his broadcasting career and was inducted into the Sports Broadcasting Hall of Fame in 2023.

Summary

Cris Collinsworth built his career across professional football, television broadcasting, and sports technology. His eight-season career with the Cincinnati Bengals produced 417 receptions, 6,698 receiving yards, 36 touchdowns, three Pro Bowl selections, and two Super Bowl appearances.

His second career as a broadcaster became even more successful. Through NBC’s Sunday Night Football, multiple Super Bowls, Sports Emmy Awards, and decades of NFL coverage, Collinsworth became one of the most recognizable analysts in American sports television.

With an estimated Cris Collinsworth net worth of approximately $100 million, his wealth reflects more than NFL earnings. His high-value broadcasting career and involvement with Pro Football Focus have been central to his financial success, while his charitable work has expanded his influence beyond sports media. His career provides a notable example of how an elite professional athlete can transition successfully into broadcasting, entrepreneurship, and sports technology.