Malika Andrews has become one of the most recognizable faces in sports broadcasting, particularly through her work with ESPN and its NBA coverage. As the host of NBA Today and NBA Countdown, Andrews has built a strong reputation for her professionalism, knowledge, and ability to handle major basketball stories. With her responsibilities continuing to expand, many viewers are interested in the question: What is Malika Andrews salary in 2026? While ESPN has not publicly revealed the exact terms of her contract, recent developments provide useful clues about her growing value to the network.
Quick Bio of Malika Andrews
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Malika Rose Andrews |
| Profession | Sports Journalist, Television Host and Reporter |
| Employer | ESPN |
| Main Shows | NBA Today, NBA Countdown |
| Nationality | American |
| Education | University of Portland |
| ESPN Career | Joined ESPN in 2018 |
| Known For | NBA reporting and studio hosting |
| Major Career Achievement | First woman to host the NBA Draft |
| Current Coverage | NBA, WNBA and tennis |
What Is Malika Andrews Salary?
The exact Malika Andrews salary has not been publicly disclosed by ESPN. This means that many salary numbers appearing online should be treated as estimates rather than confirmed figures.
Older websites have published estimates ranging from approximately $50,000 to less than $100,000 per year. However, those figures appear outdated when compared with Andrews’ current position, responsibilities, and contract history.
A major development came in September 2025, when ESPN announced that it had reached a multi-year extension with Andrews. The network described her as a Sports Emmy Award-winning host and reporter, demonstrating the importance of her role within its programming.
In addition, 2025 reporting citing former ESPN personality Marcellus Wiley suggested that Andrews was among the network’s female on-air personalities receiving seven-figure compensation. This does not establish an official salary, but it indicates that her current earnings may be substantially higher than the older estimates found online.
Therefore, the most responsible answer is that Malika Andrews is believed to be a seven-figure ESPN personality, but her precise annual salary remains private.
Why Malika Andrews Earns a High Salary
Andrews’ compensation is closely connected to the size and importance of her role at ESPN. She is not simply a sideline reporter covering individual basketball games. She has become one of the network’s leading studio hosts.
Her responsibilities include hosting NBA Today, ESPN’s weekday NBA studio program, and NBA Countdown, the network’s major pregame program surrounding selected NBA broadcasts.
ESPN has also expanded her responsibilities beyond traditional NBA studio coverage. In 2025, Andrews added WNBA studio work to her portfolio, and in 2026 she continued to lead WNBA Countdown coverage.
This broader role makes her more valuable to the network because she can represent ESPN across several major basketball properties rather than appearing in only one program.
Malika Andrews and NBA Today
One of the biggest factors behind the interest in Malika Andrews salary is her position as the face of NBA Today.
The program provides daily coverage of the NBA, including breaking news, interviews, analysis, trade developments, injuries, game storylines and major league events. Andrews regularly works with analysts, reporters and NBA insiders to present information to viewers.
Hosting a major daily sports program requires considerably more than reading a teleprompter. The host must understand the league, communicate naturally with analysts, conduct interviews and respond professionally when breaking news changes the direction of a broadcast.
Andrews has established herself in this environment and has become closely associated with ESPN’s NBA coverage.
Her Role on NBA Countdown
Andrews also hosts NBA Countdown, one of ESPN’s most recognizable basketball programs.
In November 2025, ESPN announced that Andrews would continue as the host of NBA Countdown for a third season. The program features prominent NBA analysts and insiders and serves as an important part of ESPN’s game-night coverage.
Hosting a major NBA program increases Andrews’ visibility and strengthens her position as one of the network’s principal basketball personalities.
Her continued presence on the show is another reason estimates of her current earnings should not be based on the much lower salary figures published by older celebrity-information websites.
Malika Andrews’ ESPN Contract
Andrews joined ESPN in October 2018 after working as a journalist covering the NBA. Her career progressed quickly, and she moved from reporting into increasingly prominent television roles.
In September 2025, ESPN announced a multi-year extension with Andrews. Although financial terms were not released, the extension demonstrated that ESPN wanted to retain her for the long term.
Contract extensions for high-profile television personalities can include several components, including base compensation, performance-related payments, appearances, additional programming responsibilities and other benefits. Because Andrews’ agreement is private, it is impossible to calculate her exact compensation from publicly available information.
Malika Andrews’ Career Growth
Andrews’ rise at ESPN has been remarkably fast. Before joining the network, she worked at The Chicago Tribune and previously spent time as a reporting fellow at The New York Times.
At ESPN, she initially gained attention as a sideline reporter before moving into major studio roles.
In 2022, she made history by becoming the first woman to host the NBA Draft. This was an important milestone because the NBA Draft is one of the most significant events on the basketball calendar.
Her growing list of responsibilities has also included appearances across ESPN platforms such as SportsCenter, ESPN.com and ESPN Radio.
Does Malika Andrews Have Other Income?
It is difficult to determine Andrews’ total annual earnings because her complete income sources are not publicly disclosed.
A television personality at her level can potentially earn money through broadcasting contracts, appearances, speaking opportunities, partnerships and other professional activities. However, it would be inappropriate to assign specific amounts to those categories without reliable documentation.
For that reason, discussions about Malika Andrews salary should focus primarily on her ESPN career rather than presenting speculative figures for outside income.
Malika Andrews Salary Compared With Earlier Estimates
Older online estimates sometimes place Andrews’ salary somewhere between $50,000 and $90,000 annually. These numbers are frequently repeated, but they should be viewed cautiously.
Her career in recent years has changed considerably. She now hosts multiple major ESPN programs, has expanded into WNBA coverage, has hosted the NBA Draft and received a multi-year ESPN extension.
Consequently, older salary estimates do not necessarily reflect her current compensation.
The strongest conclusion available from recent reporting is that Andrews’ current earnings are likely in the seven-figure range, although the precise figure remains unconfirmed.
What Makes Malika Andrews Successful?
Andrews’ success comes from a combination of journalism, preparation and television presence. She entered sports media through traditional reporting rather than beginning as a television celebrity.
Her newspaper background helped her develop reporting skills, while her ESPN experience allowed her to become comfortable with live television and major sports events.
She has also demonstrated an ability to work with experienced analysts and reporters while keeping broadcasts organized and engaging.
These qualities have helped turn her into one of the most prominent women in sports broadcasting.
Malika Andrews Salary in 2026: Final Thoughts
The answer to “malika andrews salary” is not a single confirmed number because ESPN has not released her compensation publicly. Older websites that estimate her earnings at tens of thousands of dollars per year should not automatically be treated as accurate for 2026.
More recent developments paint a different picture. Andrews has a multi-year ESPN extension, remains the host of NBA Today and NBA Countdown, has expanded into WNBA coverage and continues to receive major assignments such as the NBA Draft. Reporting in 2025 also placed her among ESPN’s female personalities earning seven-figure compensation.
For now, the safest conclusion is that Malika Andrews is a highly compensated ESPN broadcaster whose current salary is believed to be in the seven-figure range, while the exact amount remains private.
For readers who enjoy informative articles about prominent personalities, careers, entertainment, sports and current-interest topics, The Pure Magazine continues to bring together stories that go beyond the ordinary.
FAQs About Malika Andrews Salary
What is Malika Andrews salary in 2026?
Her exact 2026 salary has not been publicly disclosed. Recent reporting suggests that she is a seven-figure ESPN personality, but no official annual figure has been confirmed.
How much does Malika Andrews make at ESPN?
The precise amount is private. Earlier online estimates were considerably lower, while more recent reporting suggests that her compensation is now in the seven-figure range.
Does Malika Andrews still work for ESPN?
Yes. Andrews continues to serve as an important ESPN basketball host and reporter. She hosts NBA Today and NBA Countdown and has expanded her work into WNBA coverage.
When did Malika Andrews join ESPN?
Malika Andrews joined ESPN in October 2018 after working in newspaper journalism, including at The Chicago Tribune.
What shows does Malika Andrews host?
Her principal ESPN roles include hosting NBA Today and NBA Countdown. She has also taken on WNBA studio responsibilities and other major ESPN assignments.
Is Malika Andrews the highest-paid female ESPN host?
There is not enough publicly verified information to definitively rank ESPN’s female hosts by salary. Reports indicate that Andrews is among the network’s highly compensated female personalities, but exact contract figures remain private.
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