What is Dan Le Batard's Net Worth and Salary?
Dan Le Batard, an American sportswriter, radio host, and television personality, boasts a net worth of $25 million. He is best known for his tenure at ESPN, which he left in December 2020. In 2021, Dan signed a lucrative three-year, $50 million podcasting deal with DraftKings. Additionally, he was a columnist for the Miami Herald for over 25 years.
Meadowlark Media
After departing ESPN, Le Batard founded Meadowlark Media in early 2021 alongside friends, including ex-ESPN President John Skipper. Meadowlark Media struck first-look deals with Apple TV+ for unscripted series and documentaries and with Skydance Sports for unscripted sports content. Projects include the soccer docuseries "Good Rivals" and the documentary "Mighty Penguins," focusing on a London-based football team composed of players with Down syndrome. Meadowlark raised $12.6 million in 2021 for its productions beyond Dan's podcast.
DraftKings Podcast
DraftKings announced in April 2021 an agreement to pay Le Batard and Meadowlark Media $50 million over three years for his podcast, which then had 10-12 million monthly downloads.
Early Life
Born on December 16, 1968, in Jersey City, New Jersey, to Cuban exile parents Lourdes and Gonzalo, Dan Le Batard relocated to Central Islip, New York, before settling in Miramar, Florida. He attended the University of Miami for higher education. Tragically, his younger brother passed away in 2023.
Miami Herald
Le Batard's career started in 1990 with the Miami Herald, where he wrote sports columns. His notable works include investigative pieces on the University of Miami Hurricanes football team. He remained with the Herald until 2016.
The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz
Launched in 2004 on Miami's WAXY, "The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz" became a syndicated sports talk radio show. After nine years local, the show moved to ESPN Radio in 2013. Featuring sports discussions, interviews, and interactions with producers like Roy Bellamy and Chris Cote, the show continued independently in 2021 before DraftKings acquisition.
(Photo by Jason Koerner/Getty Images)
Highly Questionable
Le Batard's ESPN2 show, "Highly Questionable," premiered in 2011. Segment-based, it featured his father 'Papi' as co-host until 2019 and various guest hosts like Katie Nolan. It was replaced in 2021 by "This Just In with Max Kellerman."
Other ESPN Shows
Beyond his primary shows, Le Batard was a recurring guest on "Outside the Lines," "The Sports Reporters," and "College GameDay," and a guest host on "Pardon the Interruption." Additionally, he hosted podcasts for ESPN's "The Le Batard and Friends Podcast Network," including "South Beach Sessions."
Baseball Hall of Fame Vote Controversy
In 2014, Le Batard was suspended for a year from the Baseball Writers' Association of America and permanently stripped of his Hall of Fame voting rights after giving his vote to Deadspin for a public poll.
Personal Life
In 2018, Greg Cote, Le Batard's longtime friend from the Miami Herald, announced his engagement to girlfriend Valerie Scheide without their consent. Dan and Valerie married in late 2019 in Miami.
