Net Worth Ranker
What Is Linda Cohn’s Net Worth?
Linda Cohn, a prominent American sportscaster, has amassed a net worth of $12 million over her extensive career. A significant portion of her wealth can be attributed to her long-standing tenure at ESPN, where she earns an annual salary of $3 million. Cohn’s financial stability is further solidified by a long-term contract extension she signed with ESPN in 2018, ensuring her continued presence on the network for years to come.
Linda Cohn’s Career and Earnings at ESPN
Cohn’s career began in sports talk radio in New York City and Seattle, marking the start of a decades-long journey in sports broadcasting. Her passion for sports and ability to connect with fans have been instrumental in her success. After spending over 30 years at ESPN, she has become the longest-tenured anchor of SportsCenter, a testament to her dedication and expertise.
Her early career included a stint at WALK-AM-FM in Patchogue, New York, starting in 1981, where she worked as a sports anchor. From 1984 to 1987, she held similar roles at four other New York-based radio stations. A significant breakthrough came in 1987 when ABC hired her, making her the first full-time U.S. female sports anchor on a national radio network. She anchored WABC until 1989 before transitioning to television.
In 1989, she debuted on SportsChannel America, a competitor to ESPN at the time. That same year, she hosted a call-in radio sports show in New York. After a period as a reporter at SportsChannel America Network, KIRO-TV in Seattle, Washington, hired her as a sports anchor.
Cohn joined ESPN in 1992, returning to the East Coast to work on SportsCenter. Her first show aired on July 11, 1992, co-anchoring with Chris Myers. Despite nearly losing her job in 1994 due to concerns about her on-screen sports enthusiasm, she was given a six-month window to improve, supported by a video coach. In 1997, her NCAA basketball tournament bracket for ESPN correctly predicted Coppin State University’s upset victory over South Carolina.
In 2005, Cohn’s contract extension with ESPN included play-by-play duties for WNBA telecasts. In June 2008, ESPN announced she would regularly anchor the morning block of SportsCenter, starting in August of that year, initially planned as a three-hour block co-anchored with Steve Berthiaume. However, the morning block was later scaled down to six hours.
On February 21, 2016, Cohn hosted her 5,000th edition of SportsCenter, a record for the program’s anchors. Although ESPN suspended her briefly in April 2017 for expressing a controversial opinion during a radio interview, she signed a new deal with the network in July 2018. Today, Linda Cohn continues to anchor SportsCenter regularly from 1-3 p.m. ET Monday through Friday and hosts the podcast “Listen Closely to Linda Cohn.” All contributing to Linda Cohn’s impressive net worth.
Additional Ventures and Recognition
Cohn’s multifaceted career extends beyond her work on SportsCenter. She is an analyst on SIRIUS XM’s NHL Network Radio on Mondays during hockey season, demonstrating her continued engagement with the sport. She also makes regular appearances on Mad Dog Sports Radio, maintaining her presence in the radio world. These endeavors supplement her income and contribute to her overall financial success.
In 2008, Cohn released her memoir, “Cohn-Head: A No-Holds-Barred Account of Breaking Into the Boy’s Club.” The book details her passion for sports and her experiences working on SportsCenter. The book provides an inside look at her career journey, including how she navigated a male-dominated industry. While the financial details of the book’s sales are not publicly available, it certainly added to her visibility and reputation.
Beyond her professional achievements, Cohn has received recognition for her influence in the sports world. In 2014, she was named one of the 25 most influential women in sports, underscoring her impact on the industry and solidifying her legacy. This honor highlights the importance of her contribution to the industry and the recognition she’s gained from both peers and fans alike.
Early Life and Education
Linda Cohn was born on November 10, 1959, on Long Island, New York. Her father instilled in her a love for sports, as they would often watch games together on television. At the age of 15, her mother introduced her to a hockey league where she competed with younger boys. As a teenager, Cohn played ice hockey as a goaltender, playing in her high school’s boys league. She did not make the team as a junior but succeeded as a senior. Following her graduation from Newfield High School, Linda attended the State University of New York at Oswego, where she played on the women’s hockey team. She graduated in 1981 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication. These early experiences and her education set the foundation for her career in sports broadcasting and later contributed to Linda Cohn’s net worth.
Personal Life
In 2008, Linda Cohn divorced her husband, Stew Kaufman, after being married for over 27 years. The couple has two children. Her personal life has remained relatively private, with no further details regarding her relationships publicly disclosed. A notable aspect of her personal life is her passion for sports, as she is a fan of the New York Mets, New York Knicks, New York Rangers, and New York Giants.
While details regarding Linda Cohn’s specific investments are not publicly available, she is sure to have diversified investment portfolios including the stock market, real estate and bonds. No information is available about her real estate holdings, personal aircraft or automobile collection.
