Mina Kimes has inked a substantial new contract with ESPN, effectively concluding her free agency period.
One of the prominent NFL TV free agents has opted to remain with ESPN, securing a deal that will elevate her annual earnings to over $2 million. Sources have informed The Post that analyst Mina Kimes and ESPN have successfully finalized a contract worth slightly more than $1.7 million per year. Additionally, Kimes has a distinct arrangement with Peyton Manning’s Omaha Productions for her podcast, with Omaha and ESPN maintaining a partnership agreement. The news of Kimes’ continued presence was confirmed by Dan Le Batard on Wednesday, affirming her weekly appearances with Meadowlark.
Kimes’ position at ESPN will largely remain unchanged, as she continues to be a prominent figure on “NFL Live” and regularly participates in various other ESPN programs and shows.
Kimes’ new ESPN contract represents a significant salary increase, elevating her from a six-figure income to a seven-figure one, aligning her compensation more closely with that of her “NFL Live” colleague, Marcus Spears, who secured a four-year deal earlier in the summer. The specific duration of Kimes’ contract has not been disclosed, but ESPN’s aim has been to secure their top talents through the Super Bowl year in 2026-27.
Despite her desire to remain with ESPN throughout the negotiation process, sources indicate that the timing of her contract talks was less than ideal.
In June, ESPN implemented a round of layoffs affecting approximately 20 on-air personnel and has since adopted a more stringent approach in contract negotiations. Sources reveal that top ESPN executives expressed apprehension during the summer over the prospect of losing Kimes.