A-list athletes—aren’t they just the celebrities of our time? I mean, why not? The entire sports world practically hangs in the balance on their skill to throw, jump, and occasionally make a goal, and naturally, fans are glued to their every move. But, believe it or not, there’s another breed of sports ‘royalty’—the people who deliver those plays right to your couch. Yes, those sportscasters who spend hours narrating, analyzing, and (we’re told) illuminating every play are apparently essential to the fan experience. And as such, they’re rewarded with a ‘modest’ compensation, you know, to make sure they feel appreciated.
Let’s start the bold work of revealing just how ‘adequately’ they’re paid. Now, for the truly curious and for those wondering where exactly those sports dollars go, we’re peeling back the curtain yet again. So, grab your popcorn and settle in as we break down the staggering sums that these voices of the game are quietly raking in every year. Get ready to feel truly humbled—or maybe even inspired—to pick up a microphone yourself.
Sam Rosen: The Sportscaster and the Microphone
Sam Rosen, the legendary play-by-play announcer for the New York Rangers, has been gracing MSG Network with his vocal talents since 1984. Known for his famous ‘It’s a power-play goal!’ catchphrase, Sam’s words are basically ingrained in the DNA of every Rangers fan. But this broadcasting powerhouse actually started his career in the thrilling role of… statistician for Knicks Radio in 1970. (Clearly, the path to greatness sometimes requires adding up free throws first.) By 1982, MSG decided he was ready for prime time, and Sam became the full-time studio host for the Rangers.
Since then, he’s hosted so many shows that he might as well have a second career as a New York sports historian. The Mike Keenan Show, The Herb Brooks Show, Giants Journal—you name it, Sam was behind the mic. And when it comes to awards, he’s basically on a winning streak of his own. In 1989, he even won Excellence in Boxing Broadcast Journalism (yes, apparently, he calls punches as well as power plays), and he’s been nominated three times for a New York Emmy, just to keep his shelf nice and full. As if that wasn’t enough, he spent 12 years calling Stanley Cup Finals for NHL Radio—because, really, what’s 12 championships to a guy like Sam?
And, of course, there are the honors. Inducted into the Jewish Sports Hall of Fame in 2008 and recipient of the Foster Hewitt Memorial Award in 2016, Sam Rosen has racked up more achievements than most athletes do. At this point, the only thing he hasn’t announced is his own acceptance speech!
So, what’s the salary? A cool $300K a year—because, apparently, It’s a power-play goal! pays pretty well!