John Sterling, the iconic radio voice of the New York Yankees for 36 seasons, passed away on May 4, 2026, at the age of 87. The announcement of his death was made by WFAN Sports Radio, the New York station where he had called countless games. Sterling retired from broadcasting in April 2024 due to health concerns, having called 5,420 regular-season games and 211 postseason games during his tenure with the Yankees.
At the time of his death, reports about John Sterling’s net worth varied significantly across different sources. The most frequently cited figure, reported by the Hindustan Times and other outlets citing Celebrity Net Worth, placed his net worth at $2 million.
This estimate aligns with several online databases that have tracked his wealth. However, other sources presented higher valuations. For instance, CineNetWorth estimated his net worth to be around $4 million as of 2025, while Net Worth FAQ gave a significantly higher estimate of $16 million.
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John Sterling: The Man Behind the Microphone
We are devastated to hear about the passing of John Sterling, a WFAN and Yankees radio icon whose voice was synonymous with an entire generation of Yankee fandom.
Rest in peace, John ❤️ pic.twitter.com/BF267gPGnJ
— WFAN Sports Radio (@WFAN660) May 4, 2026
John Sterling was born John Sloss on July 4, 1938, in New York City. After leaving university to pursue a career in radio, he worked for several stations and teams before landing his dream job as the radio voice of the New York Yankees in 1989. He quickly became famous for his distinctive, dramatic home run calls and signature catchphrases like, “It is high, it is far, it is gone!” and “The Yankees win! Thuhhhhhh Yankees win!”
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Beyond his broadcasting salary, which was reported to be $500,000 annually at his peak, Sterling earned additional income from endorsements and public appearances. He also received two Emmy Awards for his work on the Yankeeography series. Despite the varied reports on his net worth, his legacy as one of baseball’s most beloved and unforgettable announcers remains undisputed.
