What was Dick Enberg's net worth and salary?
Dick Enberg was an American sportscaster who had a net worth of $16 million. Dick Enberg was known for his catchphrases such as "Oh, my!" and "Touch 'em all." He got his start in 1965 when KTLA offered him $18,000 per year to be a sportscaster. The salary was literally three times what he had been making as a teacher. He started to make a name for himself calling UCLA basketball games when Kareem Abdul-Jabbar was playing for coach John Wooden. He quickly moved up the ladder in the sports broadcasting world.
During his career Engberg broadcast for the NFL, MLB, NBA, college football and basketball, the U.S. Open, the Breeders' Cup, the Olympic Games, the Wimbledon, and the French Open. He called eight Super Bowls for the NFL on NBC. Enberg joined CBS Sports in 2000 and covered the NFL, college basketball, and the US Open. He started working for ESPN in 2004, covering tennis. Enberg was a play-by-play announcer for the Indiana Hoosiers, UCLA Bruins, Los Angeles Rams, and California Angels. Enberg did play-by-play for the San Diego Padres television coverage. Dick Enberg died on December 21, 2017, at the age of 82 at his home in La Jolla, California.
La Jolla Mansion
In 1999, Dick paid $850,000 for a property in La Jolla, California. He proceeded to build an 8,500-square-foot French-chateau-style mansion on the lot. Dick's heirs listed the home for sale in 2019 for just under $10 million. They ultimately accepted $7 million in November 2021. Here is a video tour of Dick Engberg's former La Jolla mansion:
Early Life and Education
Born on January 9, 1935, in Armada, Michigan, Enberg grew up in a modest farming family. His early passion for sports and broadcasting emerged during his high school years, where he would practice play-by-play announcing while milking cows in the family barn. He attended Central Michigan University, where he earned his bachelor's degree in 1957. Continuing his education, he obtained a master's degree and a doctorate in health sciences from Indiana University, simultaneously working as a radio announcer to support himself through school.
Breaking Into Broadcasting
Enberg's professional broadcasting career began at WSAM radio in Saginaw, Michigan, where he earned $1 per hour. While teaching health education at San Fernando Valley State College (now Cal State Northridge), he started broadcasting local sports events. His big break came in 1965 when he became the voice of the California Angels baseball team, a position he would hold for a decade. During this period, he also began broadcasting UCLA basketball games, covering the legendary John Wooden teams during their dynasty years.
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Network Television Career
In 1975, Enberg joined NBC Sports, where he would spend the next 25 years becoming one of television's most prominent sports voices. He demonstrated remarkable versatility, expertly covering football, baseball, tennis, golf, and college basketball. His work on NBC's coverage of Wimbledon with Bud Collins became legendary, as did his partnership with Merlin Olsen on NFL broadcasts. In 2000, he moved to CBS Sports, where he continued to excel, particularly in his coverage of the NFL and college basketball. His final regular broadcasting role was as the television voice of the San Diego Padres from 2010 to 2016.
Broadcasting Style and Legacy
Enberg's approach to broadcasting was distinguished by his preparation, articulation, and ability to capture moments with perfectly chosen words. Unlike many broadcasters who dominated the microphone, he was known for his ability to enhance moments without overshadowing them. His catchphrase "Oh my!" was delivered with genuine enthusiasm that never felt forced or theatrical. He was also known for his thoughtful essays and ability to provide historical context to sporting events, drawing from his academic background to add depth to his broadcasts.
Awards and Recognition
Throughout his career, Enberg accumulated numerous prestigious awards. Beyond his 14 Emmy Awards, he received the Curt Gowdy Media Award from the Basketball Hall of Fame, the Ford C. Frick Award from the Baseball Hall of Fame, and the Pete Rozelle Radio-Television Award from the Pro Football Hall of Fame. He was also inducted into the Sports Broadcasting Hall of Fame and received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, recognizing his contributions to both sports and entertainment.
Personal Life and Final Years
Despite his demanding schedule, Enberg maintained strong family ties and various interests outside of broadcasting. He wrote several books, including his autobiography "Oh My!" and created a one-man play about his longtime friend, coach John Wooden. Enberg remained active until the end of his life, retiring from full-time broadcasting in 2016. He passed away on December 21, 2017, at his home in La Jolla, California, leaving behind a legacy as one of sports broadcasting's most respected and accomplished figures. His death prompted an outpouring of tributes from across the sports world, with many noting that his combination of professionalism, knowledge, and genuine enthusiasm for sports may never be matched.
