John Feinstein lived and breathed sports. For nearly five decades, his name was synonymous with deep investigative storytelling, bringing fans closer to the games, players, and coaches that defined American sports culture. He was one of the most prolific sportswriters of his era, authoring over 40 books, including the groundbreaking A Season on the Brink, which remains one of the best-selling sports books of all time.
Born on July 28, 1956, in New York City, Feinstein built a career that many aspiring journalists could only dream of. He started as a night police reporter for The Washington Post in 1977 but quickly transitioned to sports, where he found his true passion.
Did John Feinstein Have a Wife and Kids?
His personal life, though less publicized, was just as full. Feinstein was married to Christine, his devoted wife who stood by him through his relentless deadlines and travels. Together, they raised three children—son Danny and daughters Brigid and Jayne.
While Feinstein’s writing often revolved around legendary sports figures, at home, he was just “Dad.” Whether it was discussing the latest NCAA tournament over dinner or attending his children’s school events between book tours, he balanced his career and family life with the same intensity he brought to his reporting.
What Was John Feinstein’s Net Worth?
Financially, Feinstein was undoubtedly successful. Estimating his net worth requires a bit of educated guessing, but we can make a strong case based on his career milestones. A Season on the Brink alone sold over two million copies and was adapted into an ESPN television movie in 2002. With royalties, speaking engagements, and his extensive media work—including contributions to NPR, ESPN, and The Golf Channel—his earnings would have been substantial.
His book A Good Walk Spoiled, chronicling life on the PGA Tour, was another commercial success. Considering his extensive bibliography, regular appearances on sports media platforms, and a career that spanned nearly five decades, a conservative estimate places his net worth in the range of $10 million.
Despite his financial success, Feinstein never stopped working. He was passionate about storytelling and continued writing until the very end. His final column, published in The Washington Post just a day before his death, focused on Michigan State basketball coach Tom Izzo. Even at 69, he had no plans of slowing down. Tragically, he passed away unexpectedly on March 13, 2025, at his brother’s home in McLean, Virginia. His brother, Robert, discovered his body, and the cause of death was initially reported as natural causes, likely a heart attack. It was a sudden end to a relentless career, but his legacy was already cemented.
How Feinstein Transformed the Way We See the Games
John Feinstein was inducted into the National Sports Media Association Hall of Fame in 2012, a fitting tribute to a journalist who revolutionized sports reporting. He wasn’t just covering games—he was peeling back the layers of the sports world, revealing the complexities, politics, and personal struggles of athletes and coaches. Whether it was chronicling the high-stakes drama of Army-Navy football in A Civil War or exposing the grueling realities of minor league baseball in Where Nobody Knows Your Name, his work resonated with readers far beyond the box scores.
He was a journalist who never shied away from controversy. His portrayal of Bob Knight in A Season on the Brink was raw and unfiltered, and it took nearly eight years for Knight to speak to him again after its publication. But that was Feinstein—fearless, honest, and committed to the truth, no matter how uncomfortable it made his subjects. His writing style was immersive; he embedded himself within teams, earning their trust (or their ire), all in pursuit of the most authentic stories.
PTI pays tribute to John Feinstein: “He could be the most charming guy in the room and the guy you want to throw out the room, but he was always a compelling figure.” pic.twitter.com/hAglemSMAe
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) March 13, 2025
John Feinstein’s work extended beyond books. His voice became familiar on the airwaves through NPR and SiriusXM, where he brought the same intensity to his commentary. He had a keen eye for detail, an encyclopedic knowledge of sports, and a sharp wit that made him a favorite among readers and listeners alike. His career wasn’t just about reporting scores—it was about capturing the human side of sports, the triumphs, the heartbreaks, and the untold stories that made the games matter.
As news of his passing spread, tributes poured in from athletes, journalists, and fans. Bob Knight may have been furious about A Season on the Brink, but even he admitted later in life that Feinstein’s work was transformative. “Not once did Knight back away from the access,” Feinstein wrote years later, acknowledging that his landmark book allowed him to “pick and choose book topics for the past 38 years.” That freedom led to an astonishingly diverse body of work, covering everything from the struggles of pro golfers to the inner workings of the Baltimore Ravens.
