Cris Collinsworth NFL Career and On-Field Earnings
Cris Collinsworth played wide receiver in the NFL for eight seasons, all with the Cincinnati Bengals, from 1981 to 1988. He appeared in 120 regular-season games and recorded 417 receptions for 6,698 yards and 36 touchdowns. His peak performance came in 1985, when he led the league with 1,351 receiving yards and earned Pro Bowl honors. Collinsworth was selected by the Bengals in the second round of the 1981 NFL Draft, pick 38, after playing college football at the University of Florida. His career earnings as an active player were shaped by NFL salary structures of the 1980s, a period before large guaranteed contracts and modern salary caps, with detailed contract figures not publicly disclosed in the same way as today. For background on NFL financial evolution, see the overview at Forbes.
After retiring from football, Collinsworth transitioned into broadcasting, which became a primary income source. He joined NBC as a game analyst and later moved to HBO for its Inside the NFL program. In 2016, he became a lead color commentator for NBC Sunday Night Football, a role that placed him among the highest-paid NFL broadcast talent. His media career reflects a common post-playing path for NFL athletes, where on-air roles generate income through network contracts and production companies. The structure of NFL media rights deals, which underpin broadcaster compensation, is detailed in public filings and reporting, including analysis at SEC EDGAR.
Business Ventures and Post-Playing Income Streams
Collinsworth founded Pro Football Focus (PFF), a data and analytics company that tracks NFL and college player performance. PFF provides scouting reports, grades, and statistical models used by teams, media, and fantasy sports platforms. The company represents a direct application of his football expertise into a commercial business, with revenue derived from subscriptions, licensing, and data partnerships. Analytics and scouting technology have become a significant segment within the sports industry, with companies like PFF operating alongside larger firms such as Forbes.
Beyond PFF, Collinsworth has generated income through media appearances, speaking engagements, and brand partnerships. His long tenure with NBC Sports and HBO provided a stable salary and benefits package, while his public profile supports endorsement and licensing opportunities. The business model for former NFL players often combines broadcasting contracts, ownership stakes in companies, and personal branding, a structure visible across many retired athletes. Financial disclosures for publicly traded media companies, including those that carry NFL games, can be reviewed through filings available at SEC EDGAR.
Net Worth, Assets, and Financial Profile
Estimates of Cris Collinsworth net worth place it in the tens of millions of dollars, with primary assets tied