Bruce McAvaney Net Worth, Salary and Career
Bruce McAvaney is a legendary Australian sports broadcaster with the Seven Network, known for covering major events like the AFL Grand Final, Melbourne Cup, Australian Open, Test cricket, and the Olympics.
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McAvaney has a special connection with AFL fans, thanks to his passionate and insightful commentary. His Olympic coverage is just as iconic—he’s been a part of every Summer Games since Los Angeles in 1984, right through to Paris in 2024. With his deep knowledge and love for sport, he’s become one of the most respected and beloved broadcasters in Australia.
Bruce McAvaney was born on June 22, 1953, in Adelaide, South Australia. From a young age, he had a deep love for sports, especially horse racing and Aussie Rules football.
Before stepping into the world of broadcasting, he worked as a telecommunications technician. His big break came in the 1970s when he joined Adelaide’s Channel 9 as a sports presenter, kickstarting a career that would make him one of Australia’s most iconic commentators.
Bruce McAvaney Net Worth
Bruce McAvaney’s net worth is estimated to be around $3 million as of 2025. His main source of earning is his Career as a sports broadcaster, there’s no doubt that his long and successful career in sports broadcasting has made him one of Australia’s most respected media personalities.
Bruce McAvaney Salary
Bruce McAvaney's exact salary isn’t publicly known, but in 2019, broadcaster Tim Watson ranked him as the second highest-paid personality in Australian football media, just behind Eddie McGuire. This shows that McAvaney’s earnings are significant, reflecting his status as one of the most respected figures in sports broadcasting.
Bruce McAvaney career
Bruce McAvaney’s career in sports broadcasting began in 1978 when he joined Adelaide’s ADS-7 as a sports newsreader and producer for the weekly Racetrack program. His big break came in 1980 when, after colleague Sandy Roberts was sent to cover the Moscow Olympics, McAvaney was chosen to host the Adelaide end of the telecast.
From 1981 to 1983, he served as the chief sports presenter for Seven News in Adelaide and was the lead commentator for the South Australian National Football League (SANFL), including calling the 1983 SANFL Grand Final. He also hosted the league’s Magarey Medal telecasts.
In late 1983, McAvaney moved to Melbourne and joined Channel Ten as a sports newsreader. His Olympic journey began in 1984 when he was the secondary host and track and field commentator for the Los Angeles Olympics on the Ten Network.
Between 1985 and 1988, he expanded his portfolio, calling the Melbourne Cup and hosting major sporting events like the 1986 Edinburgh Commonwealth Games, the 1987 World Athletics Championships in Rome, and the 1988 IAAF Grand Prix in Berlin. His co-hosting role at the 1988 Seoul Olympics earned him widespread acclaim.
In 1989, McAvaney made a significant move back to the Seven Network, negotiating an early end to his contract with Ten on the condition that he would cover the 1992 Barcelona Olympics.
Since then, he has been the face of Seven’s sports coverage, calling some of the biggest events, including the Melbourne Cup, World Athletics Championships, Australian Open Tennis, Australian Masters Golf, and every Summer Olympics from Barcelona 1992 to Tokyo 2020. His extensive Olympic coverage earned him the nickname "Mr Olympics."
McAvaney was also the host of the Brownlow Medal for over two decades and played a key role in Seven’s Test cricket coverage from 2018 onward, interviewing cricket’s biggest names during lunch breaks at the Melbourne and Sydney Tests.
In 2021, he announced his retirement from calling AFL games, citing a desire to reduce his workload. However, his passion for sports broadcasting remains strong. In July 2024, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) announced that McAvaney would be joining its commentary team for the Paris Olympics, bringing his legendary voice to ABC Radio audiences.
