Amanda Balionis has been a prominent figure in the sports broadcasting world for nearly two decades, with the 39 year old currently serving as a golf reporter for CBS
Amanda Balionis, a well-known face in the broadcasting world, seems to have found her permanent spot at CBS. After graduating from Hofstra University in 2008, Balionis began her career reporting on high school sports for Verizon Fios Channel 1 and MSG Networks.
In 2011, she moved to the PGA Tour as an in-house reporter and personality, creating digital content for the organization’s website. In 2016, Balionis joined Callaway Golf as a digital reporter before making the move to CBS a year later. As a golf reporter, she covered several tournaments that season.
By 2018, CBS had made Balionis a full-time member of their team. It is estimated that she earns an annual salary ranging from $40,000 to $140,000 and is thought to be worth around $1 million. Given her significant contributions to golf, NFL, and college football coverage, it’s likely that Balionis’ salary leans towards the higher end of that scale. Her long-standing tenure at CBS further enhances her value, reports the Mirror US.
Over her six-year tenure with the broadcasting giant, Balionis has formed a close bond with her colleagues. Following Xander Schauffele’s nail-biting win against Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy at last month’s PGA Championship, the 39-year-old lauded her CBS squad for their stellar coverage of the event.
“One last post from Valhalla. Couldn’t ask for a better team or better friends to make the best job in the world also the most fun,” she wrote in an Instagram post, which included photos with her teammates. “The time, effort, and hours put in behind the scenes to bring this Championship to life is insane. I’m forever grateful to be a small part of the greatest teams that consistently churn out an unmatched viewing experience.”
Balionis, through her work and regular presence on the golf courses, has become friendly with many of the PGA Tour players. Her rapport with McIlroy has been particularly noted lately, especially after rumors swirled about a possible romantic link between them.
These speculations were fuelled during an interview between McIlroy and Balionis at the RBC Canadian Open, which took place amidst McIlroy’s brief separation from his wife Erica Stoll. Some viewers interpreted their interaction as flirtatious, sparking controversy.
Rumors of a potential split were quickly dismissed when McIlroy and Stoll decided to abandon their plans for a divorce ahead of the 2024 US Open. Just hours after the Northern Irishman’s narrow defeat at Pinehurst No., the married couple were spotted together with their daughter, Poppy.
