TV Hosts DB Logo

Rich Lerner

Rich Lerner is an American sports broadcaster, storyteller, and essayist who has been a cornerstone of Golf Channel since 1997. He serves as the network’s lead primetime studio host and play-by-play announcer for PGA Tour coverage, and is celebrated for his eloquent on-air essays at major championships. A Sports Emmy winner and four-time Olympic broadcaster, he also received the Metropolitan Golf Association’s Distinguished Service Award in 2025.

Overview

Rich Lerner's Profile

Rich Lerner grew up in Allentown, Pennsylvania, working summers at his father’s driving range and miniature golf course. He attended Temple University, where he also called live basketball games for campus radio station WRTI. After college, Lerner worked at various local TV stations, building a foundation in live sports coverage and storytelling.

He then joined Golf Channel in 1997 and has been one of its most versatile and respected anchors ever since. Today, he hosts Golf Central and the on-site production Golf Central Live From. He also delivers play-by-play commentary for PGA Tour events and anchors coverage of the Ryder Cup and major championships.

Besides the Golf Channel, Lerner has contributed to NBC’s Olympic coverage, having covered four Olympic games for the network. He most recently called gymnastics competitions at the 2024 Paris Olympics for NBC, winning a Sports Emmy as part of the coverage team. Beyond his TV career, Rich Lerner has also produced documentaries, including Tiger Woods: Millennium Man and Se Ri Pak: A Champion’s Journey. 

Quick Facts

  • Full Name: Rich Lerner
  • Gender: Male
  • Date of Birth: 1960-11-10
  • Nationality: American
  • Ethnicity: White
  • Sexual Orientation: Straight
  • Marital Status: Married
  • Career Start: 1983
  • Current Network:
  • Years Active
  • Estimated Salary: $200,000–$400,000

1
TV Shows

0
Current Hosts

20
Years Active

50
Awards Won

TV Shows​

A list of television shows hosted by this host, including current programs and previous presenting roles.

NBC Olympics
NBC Olympics

Networks

A list of Networks that this host has worked for.

Personal Life

Family, relationships and background

  • Marriage Robin Lerner from 1992 to (They have been together for over 30 years)
  • Jesse Lerner, a biological child with Robin Lerner, born in 1993
  • Jack Lerner, a biological child with Robin Lerner, born in 2003

Education

Educational background and qualifications

  • Bachelor of Arts in Radio, Television, and Film from Temple University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (1983).

Net Worth & Income

Income sources, net worth, and properties.

  • Primary income from Golf Channel hosting duties and play-by-play commentary.
  • Additional income from four Olympic broadcasting assignments for NBC Sports (Rio 2016, PyeongChang 2018, Tokyo 2021, and Paris 2024).
  • He has written and co-produced projects for Golf Channel's Emmy-nominated GOLF Films documentary unit.
  • Income from Keynote speaking engagements at corporate and golf industry events.

Awards

Awards & recognition

  • Sports Emmy Award — Outstanding Live Special – Championship Event, as part of NBCUniversal's coverage of the 2024 Paris Olympics (2024).
  • Women's Sports Foundation Journalism Award — for Se Ri Pak: A Champion's Journey documentary
  • Metropolitan Golf Association's Distinguished Service Award (2025)
  • Telly Award — for contributions to a story on 1964 U.S. Open winner Ken Venturi (2010)
  • Lehigh Valley Sports Hall of Fame Inductee (2018)
  • Lehigh Valley Golf Hall of Fame Inductee (2014)