You don’t necessarily need to physically take to the gridiron to leave a lasting impact on the sport. Conceded college football fans pride themselves on pulling up to the games and spurring their teams on in the flesh. But a majority of fans live vicariously through what’s relayed to them on TV. Thus, the people who’re tasked with permeating the emotions in the building and the action of every down to the masses are special. Some do it well; others are extraordinary. The commentary and voice that go along with a big highlight become the soundtrack to some of the best moments in a sports fan’s life. Color analysts’ importance is truly slept on. Unfortunately, a prominent one is bidding adieu to the mic. CBS Sports’ Gary Danielson has announced he’s retiring.  He’s served 36 years in the booth, going on a final 37th.

Gary Danielson took insight from the backfield to the booth

Gary Danielson shall retire from the media outright at the conclusion of the 25/26 season. He’s most known for his current capacity as the lead college football analyst on CBS. A network he’s worked at since February 2006. A recipient of 6 Sports Emmys, Danielson’s journey in the media has seen him traverse multiple networks across 4 decades. A journey began when he was still quarterback for the Cleveland Browns—via a talk show. Gary Danielson brought his experience garnered behind the line of scrimmage to the forefront. After moving around in the local media landscape in Cleveland and then Detroit, his career saw a line in the sand when he got the chance to project to a national audience in 1990. Which also marked his foray into CFB.

Danielson began a stint with ESPN in ‘90, where he worked as an analyst for their Saturday evening CFB wing. He brought insight molded through years in the thick of the action and refined in the booth. After a stop at ABC Sports, Gary Danielson finally got to CBS in ‘05. The rest, as they say, is history. Danielson became synonymous with SEC football while at the network. Right until they moved to B1G broadcasting for the ‘24 season, having accentuated another Power conference last year, Danielson is now going to embark on a retirement tour through the upcoming season. So how much has he got in the figurative piggy-bank now that he’s riding into the sunset?

What is Gary Danielson’s net worth at the time of his retirement?

Gary Danielson’s net worth comprises his earnings as a player and then a long-tenured media member. He played for the aforementioned Browns as well as the Detroit Lions in the NFL. Danielson’s also got some sponsorships and endorsements baked into the equation. While his salary at CBS Sports is not public knowledge, it’s reportedly between $1-2 million. With all this accounted for, Gary Danielson is estimated to be worth anywhere in the ballpark of $10-15 million in 2025, according to Spark Celebrities.

Who Is Gary Danielson’s replacement, Charles Davis?

He may not hold unanimous reverence- such is the nature of the job- but Gary Daniel is unequivocally one of the greats. He’s going to leave behind some very big shoes to fill. Taking over from someone who’s such a staple in the field can be a daunting prospect. Charles Davis is staring down the barrel of this proposition. But he’s more than capable to live upto the mantle. Davis will take over the capacity vacated by Danielson from the 2026 season onwards.

Fans who follow the NFL are well-versed with Charles Davis. Who’s also a prominent voice of the Madden videogame series. As a player, Davis had a more humble traversal than his predecessor Gary Danielson. He went undrafted, and never played professionally. But Charles Davis had his acumen in the classroom to lean on. After a college career as a safety for Tennessee, he went back to school to earn a masters degree in history. Simultaneously, Davis called games for the Vols. One thing led to another and after working for various networks- such as FOX- across various sports, Charles Davis found himself at CBS. Where he shall continue this adding feathers to his cap in ‘26 and beyond.