Dan Shulman's new contract with ESPN has revved up the old guessing game: Who's the best-paid Canadian personality working in sports broadcasting?
It could be Shulman, a workhorse who will call NBA games for ESPN-ABC as well as continuing with baseball and college basketball on ESPN.
Shulman declined comment on his five-year contract, but it's probably worth more than $1-million (U.S.), although ESPN has a lowball reputation and it is believed Shulman negotiated his own deal.
"When you're at his level, you leave money on the table when you don't bring in an agent," a broadcasting source said.
The next best earner?
With everything in, it's Hockey Night in Canada host Ron MacLean. His annual salary at the CBC is about $500,000. But that amount is matched by big dollars earned from speaking engagements, which fetch $10,000 to $25,000 an appearance. His annual income is $1-million or more.
Don Cherry makes more than MacLean at Hockey Night, at least $600,000, and also earns significant income from his radio show, Grapeline, and his annual DVD. Put Cherry at $900,000, trending up.
Bob McCown, the afternoon drive host of The Fan 590 in Toronto, signed a five-year deal with the radio station a few weeks ago. His salary is pegged at somewhere between $700,000 and $800,000 a year.
Jim Hughson, who calls Vancouver Canucks regional games for Rogers Sportsnet as well as a game for Hockey Night each week, is at $700,000, give or take. John Saunders, the ESPN host-announcer, is at the same level.
Pierre McGuire's salary at TSN, combined with radio work, a column for Sports Illustrated and his job as a hockey host-analyst for NBC, would bring him close to $700,000.