Keith Olbermann Net Worth

Overview

Keith Theodore Olbermann, born on January 27, 1959, is an American sports and political commentator, and writer. He began his career primarily in sports journalism, gaining prominence as a co-host of ESPN’s SportsCenter from 1992 to 1997. He also worked as a producer and anchor for Fox Sports Net, covering Major League Baseball. In the 2000s, Olbermann transitioned to political commentary, hosting ‘Countdown with Keith Olbermann’ on MSNBC from 2003 to 2011, where he became known for his strong criticism of conservative figures. After leaving MSNBC, he hosted a show with the same name on Current TV and later created ‘The Resistance with Keith Olbermann.’ He has also written for numerous publications and is known for his sometimes controversial and outspoken style. Olbermann’s career spans both sports and political media, marking him as a versatile and influential figure in American broadcasting. He is also known for his extensive knowledge and love for baseball, which he inherited from his mother.

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What Is Keith Olbermann’s Net Worth?

Keith Olbermann, a prominent American sports and political commentator and writer, has accumulated a net worth estimated at $25 million. This wealth reflects his diverse career spanning sports broadcasting and political commentary. While specific details about the exact breakdown of his assets are not publicly available, it’s reasonable to assume his net worth is comprised of earnings from his various television hosting roles, writing ventures, and potentially investments.

Early Career and Transition to Political Commentary

Born on January 27, 1959, in New York City, Keith Theodore Olbermann’s early exposure to sports, particularly baseball through his mother’s influence as a New York Yankees fan, significantly shaped his career trajectory. He attended Hackley School, an elite private school, and became a play-by-play announcer for a local news station. He graduated from Cornell University in 1979 with a BS in communication from its College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. After college, he covered the Winter Olympics at Lake Placid for an early form of CNN and worked as a sports anchor in Boston and Los Angeles. In 1992, he joined ESPN and was part of “SportsCenter” for five years, hosting the 11 PM show alongside Dan Patrick. He transitioned from sports to political commentary, marking a pivotal shift in his career. Although his ESPN salary started at $150,000, he was eventually earning $350,000 by the time he departed. His departure from ESPN was filled with controversy. Initially, he was suspended for making an unauthorized appearance on “The Daily Show.” Next, he departed from the network entirely amidst a bitter feud with ESPN’s management. The specific financial terms of his initial contracts are not fully disclosed, but it is known that he took a pay cut when he joined ESPN.

Key Roles and Contract Details

Olbermann’s career highlights include hosting “SportsCenter” from 1992 to 1997 and later anchoring “Countdown with Keith Olbermann” on MSNBC from 2003 to 2011. The latter role cemented his status as a political commentator. His four-year contract extension with MSNBC in 2008 was reportedly worth $30 million, averaging $7.5 million per year. During his tenure at MSNBC, Olbermann developed a rivalry with Bill O’Reilly. After leaving MSNBC, he hosted a show with the same name on Current TV. Olbermann also provided coverage of the 2016 presidential election and hosted “The Resistance with Keith Olbermann.” He continued to host sports shows, particularly those covering Major League Baseball, before leaving ESPN in 2020 to create a political commentary program on YouTube. The specific earnings from his YouTube channel and other ventures after leaving MSNBC are not publicly available.

Real Estate Investments

In 2007, Keith Olbermann purchased a condo in Trump Palace. He originally purchased the condo for about $4.2 million. Keith decided to sell the residence in 2016, settling on a selling price of $3.8 million, resulting in a $400,000 loss. The condo featured 1,750 square feet of living space, a chef’s kitchen, and three outdoor spaces with city views. Although he accepted a $400,000 loss on the property, he later stated that the loss was worth it.