Net Worth Ranker
What Was Vin Scully’s Net Worth?
At the time of his death on August 2, 2022, Vin Scully, the iconic American sportscaster, had a net worth of $25 million. This substantial wealth was accumulated over a career spanning nearly seven decades, primarily through his broadcasting work, endorsements, and other media engagements.
Vin Scully’s Career and Earnings
Vin Scully’s career is defined by his unparalleled 67-season tenure as the voice of the Los Angeles Dodgers (formerly Brooklyn Dodgers). Beginning in 1950 and continuing until his retirement in 2016, Scully became synonymous with the franchise, captivating fans with his eloquent play-by-play commentary. While specific details of his early contracts are scarce, it is known that his first contract with the Brooklyn Dodgers, signed on December 23, 1949, paid $100 per week during baseball’s roughly 30-week season. This equated to $3,000 per season, which is approximately $32,000 per year when adjusted for inflation.
In the decades between 1990 and 2008, Vin Scully’s salary ranged from $1 million to $1.5 million per year, reflecting his continued prominence and popularity. From 2008 onward, his annual salary reached $3 million, solidifying his status as one of the highest-paid sportscasters in the industry. In addition to his Dodgers contract, Scully also had separate agreements with networks such as NBC and Fox, further contributing to his overall income.
Beyond his work with the Dodgers, Scully’s career included significant stints with CBS Sports and NBC Sports. For CBS, he covered various baseball, football, and golf events, broadening his reach and appeal. During his time at NBC in the 1980s, Scully served as the lead baseball announcer, calling numerous high-profile games, including World Series matchups and All-Star games. His partnership with Joe Garagiola during this period produced some of baseball’s most memorable broadcasting moments.
It’s noteworthy that Scully’s influence extended beyond the broadcast booth. His play-by-play announcements were so popular that fans would bring radios to the stadium to listen to his commentary while watching the game live. This unique phenomenon underscores the profound connection he had with his audience and his integral role in the Dodgers experience.
Vin Scully’s Real Estate Holdings
In 2001, Vin Scully invested in real estate, purchasing an 11,600 square-foot home in Hidden Hills, California, for $1.587 million. This property, situated on a 2-acre lot within the exclusive gated community of Ashley Ridge, was considered one of the most coveted locations in Hidden Hills. To illustrate the property’s value, the house next door, which occupies 1.3 acres, was bought by Paul George for $7.4 million in 2016 and listed for $9.5 million in 2020.
Following Scully’s death, his heirs listed the Hidden Hills estate for $15 million in October 2022. This listing price reflects the appreciation of the property’s value over time and its desirable location within a prestigious community. The estate’s features and amenities, combined with its connection to a beloved figure like Vin Scully, made it a significant asset in his overall net worth.
Early Life, Education and Career Foundation
Born on November 29, 1927, in The Bronx, New York City, Vincent Edward Scully laid the foundation for his illustrious career through a combination of academic pursuits and early broadcasting experiences. His formative years were spent in the Washington Heights neighborhood of Manhattan, where he attended Fordham Preparatory School in The Bronx. During this time, he held his first job at the Pennsylvania Hotel in Manhattan, where he was entrusted with various responsibilities, including delivering beer and mail, cleaning silver, and managing garment racks in the building’s basement.
After completing two years of service in the US Navy, Scully embarked on his career as a student broadcaster and journalist at Fordham University. At Fordham University, Scully’s involvement extended beyond the classroom, as he co-founded the school’s FM radio station, WFUV, and served as assistant sports editor for The Fordham Ram during his senior year. He also sang in a barbershop quartet, played center field on the Rams baseball team, and broadcasted radio broadcasts for the baseball, basketball, and football teams. This multifaceted approach to his college experience foreshadowed his versatility and drive as a broadcaster.
Following his graduation from Fordham, Scully’s determination to secure a broadcasting position led him to send over 100 letters to radio stations along the East Coast. His efforts eventually paid off when he received a response from WTOP, the CBS Radio affiliate in Washington, DC. WTOP hired him to cover college football, marking the beginning of his professional broadcasting career.
Dodgers Broadcasting Legacy
In 1950, Vin Scully secured his most renowned position when he became an announcer for the Brooklyn Dodgers, working alongside Red Barber and Connie Desmond. This opportunity marked the beginning of a 67-year association with the franchise, making him an integral part of Dodgers history.
One of Scully’s early career highlights occurred in 1953 when he called the World Series, making him the youngest individual ever to do so at the age of 25. This achievement showcased his exceptional talent and established him as a rising star in the broadcasting world.
Following Red Barber’s departure to work for the Yankees, Scully assumed the role of the team’s principal announcer. Throughout the 1950s, he collaborated with colleagues such as André Baruch, Al Helfer, and Jerry Doggett, creating a memorable broadcasting team for Dodgers fans.
When the Dodgers relocated to Los Angeles in 1958, Scully accompanied the team, becoming a well-known figure in Southern California. His comprehensive play-by-play descriptions were especially valued by fans, helping them follow the action at the vast Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. By 1976, Scully’s popularity had reached such heights that Dodgers fans voted him the “most memorable personality” in the franchise’s history.
Throughout his 67-year career as a Dodgers announcer, Scully gained recognition for his distinctive voice, descriptive style, and signature introduction. He also deviated from the modern trend of multiple sportscasters engaging in on-air conversations during games, as he and his partners Doggett and Ross Porter would independently call each of their innings.
Scully’s final regular season game at Dodger Stadium occurred on September 25, 2016. He then called the Dodgers’ season finale in San Francisco on October 2, officially retiring at the age of 88.
NBC Broadcasting and National Recognition
From 1983 to 1989, Scully enhanced his national profile through his baseball broadcasting work on NBC. During this period, he announced Saturday games, three World Series, four NLCS, and four All-Star games.
Alongside partner Joe Garagiola, Scully provided commentary for numerous iconic baseball moments, including Fred Lynn’s grand slam in the 1983 All-Star game, the New York Mets’ comeback in Game 6 of the 1986 World Series, the first official night game at Wrigley Field in 1988, and Kirk Gibson’s game-winning home run in Game 1 of the 1988 World Series.
Scully’s final MLB game for NBC was Game 5 of the 1989 NLCS. Following the season, the network lost its television rights to cover MLB to CBS.
In addition to baseball, Scully also announced PGA Tour golf coverage during his tenure at NBC.
Post-NBC Career and Media Appearances
After departing from NBC, Scully returned to his role as the national radio announcer for the World Series, calling games through 1997. His last World Series game was Game 7 between the Florida Marlins and the Cleveland Indians.
Scully also broadcast the annual golf Skins Game on ABC, as well as the Senior Skins Game.
His popularity led to appearances in films, video games, and television series. He narrated the short-lived NBC sitcom “Occasional Wife” in the 1960s, hosted the NBC game show “It Takes Two” from 1969 to 1970, and hosted his own weekday talk variety program, “The Vin Scully Show,” in 1973.
He lent his voice as the announcer in the Sony PlayStation MLB video game series. Scully made cameo appearances in films such as “For Love of the Game,” “Bachelor in Paradise,” and “Wake Me When It’s Over.” His voice can be heard announcing baseball games in films such as “Zebra in the Kitchen,” “The Party,” and “The Bucket List.” These ventures further enriched his earnings and net worth.
Personal Life, Family and Legacy
In 1957, Scully married Joan Crawford. She died in 1972 from an accidental medical overdose. In 1973, Scully married Sandra Hunt. Between his marriages, Scully had four children, two stepchildren, 16 grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren. His eldest son, Michael, died in a helicopter crash while working for a transportation company in 1994. After 48 years of marriage, Scully’s wife Sandra died in 2021 from ALS.
Scully lived in Thousand Oaks, California, and regularly attended St. Jude the Apostle Church in Westlake Village. His personal life, marked by both joy and sorrow, added depth to his public persona and cemented his status as a beloved figure.
