What is Linda Cohn's Net Worth and Salary?
Linda Cohn is a seasoned American sportscaster with an impressive net worth of $12 million. At ESPN, her annual salary stands at $3 million, following a long-term contract extension in 2018.
Beginning her career in New York City and Seattle sports talk radio, the Long Island native has built a successful and passionate career spanning decades. Cohn attributes her tremendous success to her enthusiasm for sports and engaging other fans. With over 30 years at ESPN, she is the longest-tenured anchor of SportsCenter.
Known for her distinct New York accent, Cohn has championed hockey, even when it wasn't featured by the network. Her casual yet thoroughly researched approach keeps fans informed and entertained. Besides anchoring, she's an analyst on SIRIUS XM's NHL Network Radio during hockey season and a regular on Mad Dog Sports Radio.
Early Life
Linda Cohn was born on November 10, 1959, in Long Island, New York. Her love for sports was inspired by her father, with whom she watched sports on TV. At 15, her mother introduced her to a boys' hockey league. As a teen, she excelled as a goaltender, eventually playing in her high school's boys' league. Although she didn't make the team as a junior, she did as a senior. After graduating from Newfield High School, Cohn attended the State University of New York at Oswego, playing on the women's hockey team and earning a Bachelor of Arts in Communication in 1981.
Career Debut
Cohn began her professional career in 1981, serving as a sports anchor for WALK-AM-FM in Patchogue, New York. From 1984 to 1987, she held similar roles at four other New York-based radio stations and briefly worked as an update person at WFAN in New York City.
Breakthrough Years
In 1987, Cohn broke barriers as the first full-time female U.S. sports anchor on a national radio network when ABC hired her. She then anchored at WABC until 1989, marking her TV debut on SportsChannel America, a major ESPN competitor. That same year, she hosted a call-in radio sports show in New York and served as a reporter for SportsChannel America Network until moving to KIRO-TV in Seattle as a sports anchor.
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ESPN
Cohn joined ESPN in 1992, beginning her tenure with the SportsCenter program alongside Chris Myers on July 11. She has frequently appeared in the show's "This Is SportsCenter" commercials. Although she faced a challenge in 1994 when the network questioned her on-screen enthusiasm, she improved with the help of a video coach, solidifying her place at ESPN. In the 1997 NCAA basketball tournament, her accurate prediction of Coppin State University's victory over South Carolina turned heads.
In 2005, Cohn's role expanded to include play-by-play for WNBA telecasts. By June 2008, she became a regular anchor for the morning block of SportsCenter. As of February 21, 2016, she set a record by hosting her 5,000th edition of SportsCenter. While facing temporary suspension in April 2017 for a controversial opinion, Cohn signed a new deal in July 2018, extending her stay at ESPN. Throughout her career, she has worn many hats at ESPN, including commenter, interviewer, reporter, writer, and play-by-play commentator. She continues to anchor SportsCenter from 1-3 p.m. ET, Monday through Friday, and hosts the "Listen Closely to Linda Cohn" podcast.
Memoir
In 2008, Cohn published her memoir, "Cohn-Head: A No-Holds-Barred Account of Breaking Into the Boy's Club," detailing her passion for sports and numerous experiences on SportsCenter.
Personal Life
In 2008, Cohn divorced her husband, Stew Kaufman, after over 27 years of marriage. They have two children. In 2014, she was recognized as one of the 25 most influential women in sports. Cohn is an avid fan of the New York Mets, New York Knicks, New York Rangers, and New York Giants.
