Footy great reveals which former stars are making the most money as TV commentators - with one pocketing almost $1million a year

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AFL large Nathan Brown has erstwhile again turned heads crossed the footy media scenery by revealing his yearly database of the highest-paid figures successful commentary – and this year, the figures are much jaw-dropping than ever.

Brown, a erstwhile Bulldogs and Richmond guardant turned tv presenter, has made a contented of releasing what helium claims are highly close net estimates for AFL media personalities.

He says his numbers are close 'to wrong 2 per cent', and they've go a blistery taxable each year.

In 2025, Brown named Kane Cornes arsenic the top-earning erstwhile subordinate successful footy media, estimating the outspoken commentator rakes successful $950,000 per year.

Cornes, a Port Adelaide champion who played 300 games and won a premiership successful 2004, has climbed from 5th connected the database successful 2024 to the apical spot this year.

Since retiring, Cornes has go a starring media figure, known for his crisp investigation and fiery opinions.

AFL large Nathan Brown has enactment unneurotic his yearly affluent database of AFL commentators which has already caused a large stir

Controversy magnet Kane Cornes has rocketed up the database from 5th spot to the highest-paid erstwhile subordinate successful commentatry

New look Nick Riewoldt, who returned from the US to resume his media career, came successful second

He joined Channel 7's AFL squad successful 2025, adding to his existing commitments connected SEN's 'Fireball Friday' with David King.

Cornes has been a magnet for controversy, peculiarly aft North Melbourne banned him from nine entree this year implicit what they described arsenic 'bullying behaviour' towards players including Harry Sheezel and Jy Simpkin.

His comments were besides criticised by chap media members, including his ain co-host King.

Despite the backlash, Cornes remains a cardinal subordinate successful footy media and a polarising fig among fans.

Behind Cornes connected the database is Nick Riewoldt, making his archetypal quality aft returning from 2 years surviving successful the United States.

Riewoldt, a six-time St Kilda best-and-fairest and all-time person successful VFL/AFL marks, reportedly earns $900,000 from his caller roles with Channel 7 and Triple M.

Brown claimed Fox Footy had tried to lure Riewoldt backmost with an AFL 360 offer, but Channel 7 swooped precocious with a $500,000 deal, portion his meal vigor amusement with Mick Molloy added important income.

Known for his composed and intelligent analysis, Riewoldt has besides stirred headlines.

Collingwood premiership victor Daisy Thomas made the database contempt not being retained successful Triple M's meal lineup

Jason Dunstall, who was precocious inducted into the AFL Hall of Fame, was besides a large earner

He's been vocal astir the AFL's cause argumentation and was precocious progressive successful a nationalist spat with Jamarra Ugle-Hagan aft offering disapproval that the Bulldogs prima responded to connected societal media.

Veteran broadcaster Garry Lyon, a fixture connected Fox Footy and SEN, dropped to 3rd with $850,000. Jason Dunstall moved up to 4th astatine $600,000, portion Brian Taylor, agelong associated with Channel 7's high-energy coverage, slid to 5th with $550,000.

Sharing 5th spot is Daisy Thomas, the erstwhile Collingwood and Carlton guardant who's carved retired a divers post-footy media career.

Thomas, a premiership subordinate successful 2010, has go a fashionable media fig connected Triple M and Channel 7. In 2025, helium launched a play amusement called 'Teeing Off with Daisy Thomas', aimed astatine amateur players.

He's besides acceptable to co-host a caller sheet show, 'The Agenda Setters', alongside nary different than Kane Cornes.

The duo person a colourful history, with nationalist feuds and fiery on-air clashes, but present committedness lively discussions connected set.

Despite a vigor setback – helium wasn't retained successful Triple M's meal lineup – Thomas has maintained a beardown media presence.

Meanwhile, Brown besides caused a disturbance by listing the top-paid commentators successful the crippled who didn't play astatine AFL level – with adjacent much staggering salaries.

Of the non-footy players, James Brayshaw again topped the database with an eye-watering $1.5million successful earnings

Mark Howard besides cashed in, taking successful a reported $1.3million which helium jokingly said was disconnected the mark

For the 5th consecutive year, James Brayshaw topped that list, earning a reported $1.5million acknowledgment to lucrative contracts with Channel 7 and Triple M.

Brown's Triple M Friday Huddle co-hosts were near gobsmacked erstwhile helium declared Mark Howard is present the 2nd highest-paid non-player commentator connected $1.3million.

'I don't cognize wherever helium hides it all,' Brown joked. Howard responded by saying Brown had 'made my numbers up', though helium couldn't fell his surprise.

Fox Footy's Anthony Hudson placed 3rd connected the database astatine $950,000, portion AFL 360 big Gerard Whateley was named 4th connected $900,000 – prompting a stunned 'wow' from Howard during the segment.

Damian Barrett rounded retired the apical 5 with estimated net of $650,000.

Nathan Brown’s highest-earning AFL media figures successful 2025