George Hamilton earned €219,833 last year

AARRRGH

As the title says, George Hamilton earned €219,833 last year.

Jesus ****ing Christ.

Is his job even full-time?

Rekop dog

AARRRGH wrote: »

As the title says, George Hamilton earned €219,833 last year.

Jesus ****ing Christ.

Is his job even full-time?

Fair play to him! He's been there for over 20 years now and I always rated him as a commentator.

I'd say it is full time- he does the premier league games, Champions league and all the Internationals as well as the odd rugby game and all big events like world cups, olympics ect...

machiavellianme

he gets paid nearly quarter of a million euro to go to matches?
I'm definately in the wrong business

Draupnir

Of course his job is full time, he is a live television commentator and presenter who is required to do extensive research, travel constantly and covers numerous sports. Whether you personally feel he is good at that job or not, his salary is not extortionate for what he does.

AARRRGH

Draupnir wrote: »

Of course his job is full time, he is a live television commentator and presenter who is required to do extensive research, travel constantly and covers numerous sports. Whether you personally feel he is good at that job or not, his salary is not extortionate for what he does.

I think he's fine at his job, but considering how poor Ireland is, never mind RTE, is his salary really appropriate? I don't think so.

ElaElaElano

Andy Gray earns £20,000 a week for his job at Sky, that's without any of the travelling or researching. He just sits on his arse pontificating and lets someone else do the hard work.

There are bigger robbers out there than George Hamilton in this very country.

Neil3030

Let's not get drawn into another high-proflie/high-paid public sector witch-hunt before answering the following:

- How much work does he need to do off-the-air?

- Who is better at what he does that would do it for cheaper?

- How does this annual wage relate to other similar positions, say at other Irish stations?

I think we'll all have a knee-jerk emotional reaction to this because, ultimately, he has one of the best jobs in the world (that we'd all give our left arm for!) and gets paid very well. But in fairness, I think he justifies his wage if you consider the above points.

Keep in mind, he also presents a radio show on classic FM on Saturday mornings.

AARRRGH

Neil3030 wrote: »

- How does this annual wage relate to other similar positions, say at other Irish stations?

Salaries in TV3 are capped at 80k.

Neil3030 wrote: »

Keep in mind, he also presents a radio show on classic FM on Saturday mornings.

Is Classic FM owned by RTE? The €219,833 is from RTE only.

Neil3030

AARRRGH wrote: »

Salaries in TV3 are capped at 80k.




Is Classic FM owned by RTE? The €219,833 is from RTE only.

Sorry, I meant to say RTE Lyric FM, not Classic FM.

JPA

You wouldn't want to see what Eamonn dunphy earns then?!

Mr.Nice Guy

I don't have a problem with it. He's the best commentator in the country, covers a wide range of sports and has to do a good bit of travelling.

I'm more annoyed that the likes of Marian Finucane and Gerry Ryan took home €570,000 and €629,865 respectively. I'd regard listening to those two as pure torture.

Neil3030

JPA wrote: »

You wouldn't want to see what Eamonn dunphy earns then?!

People do watch him though. He copped on a long time ago that controversy attracts more attention than analysis and has made a very healthy living for himself. I'm sure RTE can easily justify paying him (what is it, 380k?) because they generate healthy advertising revenue off the guy.

Kev_ps3

No way should he be paid that amount of money for that job, should be around 80k

JPA

Neil3030 wrote: »

People do watch him though. He copped on a long time ago that controversy attracts more attention than analysis and has made a very healthy living for himself. I'm sure RTE can easily justify paying him (what is it, 380k?) because they generate healthy advertising revenue off the guy.

More the fact he's on once or twice every 2 weeks at most rather then whether he's good or not.

Boggles

Axe Fair City and give the balance to George and the boys, worth every penny!

ArmaniJeanss

If you'd asked me to guess, I'd have guessed a little more to be honest, closer to €300K.

He infuriates at times and all that, but he has been there for so many of the great sporting moments of our time that he is almost part of our sporting landscape.

It doesn't seem that extortionate an amount of money really.

Neil3030

JPA wrote: »

More the fact he's on once or twice every 2 weeks at most rather then whether he's good or not.

I agree it's a disgrace that his nonsense should be rewarded with such wages for such a small amount of effort, but the numbers would probably justify it is what I'm saying. How many more people watch RTE coverage because of Dunphy? And this includes those who hate him, and who love him. He makes them a lot of advertising revenue.

anonymous_joe

I've no problems with it.

He's very good at what he does, and it's definitely a full time job. He has a radio show, weekly football, and so on.

NaiveMelodies

AARRRGH wrote: »

I think he's fine at his job, but considering how poor Ireland is, never mind RTE, is his salary really appropriate? I don't think so.

His salary isnt really relative to the recession so thats unfair.

dannydiamond

AARRRGH wrote: »

As the title says, George Hamilton earned €219,833 last year.

Jesus ****ing Christ.

Is his job even full-time?

So what?

wynters

He deserves every fckng cent!!! Wizard.

Mr Alan

have we really sunk this low as a nation?

one of our top sports commentators is earning about 200k a year, a man who's voice is the soundtrack to many memories over the years "Danger here!", a man who is over 20 yrs in the job.

come on people, there is no issue here. fair play to him.

stovelid

Draupnir wrote: »

who is required to do extensive research.

Himself, Giles and Dunph should sit a monthly exam in European football. With public results. Just to make sure the exorbitant research fees are being put to good use.

Kinetic^

Would've expected him to get more tbh and I'd not have blinked an eyelid either. He's worth it.

kinaldo

How much does Jimmy McGee get?

wynters

Whatever Magee's gettin paid - it's too much! He twice referred to that lad who bet Bernard Dunne as "The young man from Thailand, with the face of an alterboy"

mikemac

I've no problem with it
He covers many soccer games and he does other sports too.
And he has his radio show on Lyric FM. When you add in the travelling that's quite a workload

Marian Finuance at €570,000 and she does two shows a week in a radio studio??
That's where the waste is!

Boggles

wynters wrote: »

Whatever Magee's gettin paid - it's too much! He twice referred to that lad who bet Bernard Dunne as "The young man from Thailand, with the face of an alterboy"

Same young man from Thailand made it his business to shake Magees hand after he won the bout.

Jimmy is a legend.

Mossy Monk

AARRRGH wrote: »

As the title says, George Hamilton earned €219,833 last year.

Jesus ****ing Christ.

Is his job even full-time?

Nice attempt at outrage. You have failed though. But a nice try all the same.

everdead.ie

Boggles wrote: »

Axe Fair City and give the balance to George and the boys, worth every penny!

They probably wouldn't know what to do with there extra E50 a week:p

missingtime

Mr Alan wrote: »

one of our top sports commentators is earning about 200k a year, a man who's voice is the soundtrack to many memories over the years "Danger here!", a man who is over 20 yrs in the job.

"Timote against Bonner"

"A nation holds its breath"

I've got goose bumps just typing it

The Muppet

Fair play to him.

Catenaccio!

People saying this mug is a good commentator

prendy

Kev_ps3 wrote: »

No way should he be paid that amount of money for that job, should be around 80k

so you'd leave your family for weeks on end every summer to go commentate on Olympics, Euro's and WC's?

The man must never be at home, in England every weekend and all over Europe mid-week. i wouldnt do it for 80k are you seriously saying if you had a family you would?

Then the research that must go in to the Euro teams especially in the early stages of the CL. In fairness he rarely mistakes a player.


i am surprised by his salary as i thought he would be earning a bit more. The best Irish commentator of the last 20 years.

There are other's in RTE not worth their salary but George is worth every cent.

GavRedKing

Well done to him, hes been part of Irish sports for over 2 decades and has done a good job in the process of entertaining us.

Regardless of what he earns there would be some people saying he doesnt deserve the relative success or salary that his position/job has allowed him to achieve.

D.S.

AARRRGH wrote: »

As the title says, George Hamilton earned €219,833 last year.

Jesus ****ing Christ.

Is his job even full-time?

If you can't beat them, join them....

Broadcasters with all networks get paid huge sums of money..nature of the industry....I wouldn't begrudge him what he earns particularly as he doesn't come across as a twat like a lot of em do...

Boggles

There is a reason I watch ITV 4 +1 or whatever obscure satellite channel that has managed to show something worthwhile every night.

RTE by and large are muck, I for one hope every cent of my license fee goes to George and Jimmy.

CSI 2 or RTE 2 as it likes to be called should be scrapped and a dedicated sports channel setup, Everything on RTE 1 should be scapped apart from the fooking weather.

George is a legend and has provided some of the most exciting commentary for 2/3 of my life. As been said, worth every penny.

Morzadec

George Hamilton = Legend

iregk

Fair play to him. I'd take it if I could and I always enjoy listening to his massive over reactions. Aul Danger Here has done well or Dawson Stelfox as he likes to be called.

Fr Tod Umptious

Kev_ps3 wrote: »

No way should he be paid that amount of money for that job, should be around 80k

Dear Kev_ps3

No way should you be paid the amount of money you earn for the job you do.

It should be around 35% of it

Your etc.

Fr. Tod Umptious

killwill

Mr Alan wrote: »

have we really sunk this low as a nation?

one of our top sports commentators is earning about 200k a year, a man who's voice is the soundtrack to many memories over the years "Danger here!", a man who is over 20 yrs in the job.

come on people, there is no issue here. fair play to him.

I have to agree 100% with you Alan. We should be complaining with the wages of ALL political party members and the "big knobs" in the health service. This is one man on a decent wage and has served us as a nation well for decades.

noodler

missingtime wrote: »

"Timote against Bonner"

"A nation holds its breath"

I've got goose bumps just typing it

"Thats come out to Holland.......ONE-ONE!!"

or of course...

"Andheresrobbiekeane.....YEESSSSS!!1

prendy wrote: »

so you'd leave your family for weeks on end every summer to go commentate on Olympics, Euro's and WC's?

The man must never be at home, in England every weekend and all over Europe mid-week. i wouldnt do it for 80k are you seriously saying if you had a family you would?

Then the research that must go in to the Euro teams especially in the early stages of the CL. In fairness he rarely mistakes a player.


i am surprised by his salary as i thought he would be earning a bit more. The best Irish commentator of the last 20 years.

There are other's in RTE not worth their salary but George is worth every cent.

I take serious issue with the above. The Olympic are once every 4 years and the CL is once every 2 weeks. Even world Cup qualifiers are only about 6 a year.

I think there are bigger and better targets to go for if we want to slash Public Sector wages but I find it hard to see exactly how Hamilton "would never be at home".

Boggles

noodler wrote: »

I take serious issue with the above. The Olympic are once every 4 years and the CL is once every 2 weeks. Even world Cup qualifiers are only about 6 a year.

But if he has a CL game and Premier league game in one week he could be away 4-5 days out of the seven.

That over a course of year, combined with the athletics, etc, is a fair chunck of travelling.

He is away from his family a fair bit (not saying that is always a bad thing )

Over a four year period, he will be at the Olympics, World Championships, European Athletics Champ, World Cup, European cup, England and all over Europe maybe 150-200 times.

I'd say he averages out at 1 day off a week.

noodler

Boggles wrote: »

But if he has a CL game and Premier league game in one week he could be away 4-5 days out of the seven.

That over a course of year, combined with the athletics, etc, is a fair chunck of travelling.

He is away from his family a fair bit (not saying that is always a bad thing )

Over a four year period, he will be at the Olympics, World Championships, European Athletics Champ, World Cup, European cup, England and all over Europe maybe 150-200 times.

I'd say he averages out at 1 day off a week.

I could be 100% wrong here and if I am then fair enough, but whenever I watch the premiership there are 6 or 7 games with different commentators and I was under the impression they were not actually there for the majority of the games and simply dubbed their 'impressions' in afterwards.

I mean it is less obvious in Hamilton's case but the majority of RTE commentators on the prem appear to be always out of sync with what is going on on the pitch.

AARRRGH

The problem I have with it is RTE are totally financially ****ed, and the country is totally financially ****ed.

I like the guy, but his pay is excessive considering we cannot afford it. If you don't believe me, head on over to the "Irish Economy" forum to see how deluded we are/have been about how much money this country has.

AARRRGH

Btw, in case anyone thinks this is begrudgery, it's not. I identity with successful people which itself is abnormal for an Irish person.

The problem I have is this country is living waaay beyond its means.

If RTE was a private company it would be bankrupt. I don't believe we should allow government bodies to continue to spend money they don't have.

prendy

noodler wrote: »

I take serious issue with the above. The Olympic are once every 4 years and the CL is once every 2 weeks. Even world Cup qualifiers are only about 6 a year.

I think there are bigger and better targets to go for if we want to slash Public Sector wages but I find it hard to see exactly how Hamilton "would never be at home".

so he flys out the day of a game turns up at the stadium and instantly knows the CSKA Moscow back 4? if you read my full post you will see i mentioned he wouldnt be at home as the amount of research for these games must be huge.

Even if he was only away the amount you mentioned do you not think he should be well paid for the inconvienence?

AARRRGH

prendy wrote: »

Even if he was away the amount you mentioned do you not think he should be well paid for the inconvienence?

Well paid, yes, but 200k+ well paid? I dunno...

prendy

AARRRGH wrote: »

Well paid, yes, but 200k+ well paid? I dunno...

granted its alot of money but 20 years experience comes at a price especially in such a specialist field.

Look at the muck comentators TV3 have?

anonymous_joe

AARRRGH wrote: »

The problem I have with it is RTE are totally financially ****ed, and the country is totally financially ****ed.

I like the guy, but his pay is excessive considering we cannot afford it. If you don't believe me, head on over to the "Irish Economy" forum to see how deluded we are/have been about how much money this country has.

The problems with RTE aren't one bloke on 200k a year.

AARRRGH wrote: »

Well paid, yes, but 200k+ well paid? I dunno...

He'd go elsewhere. He's more than good enough to.

Morzadec

prendy wrote: »

granted its alot of money but 20 years experience comes at a price especially in such a specialist field.

Look at the muck comentators TV3 have?

Great point. I avoid TV3 because of their terrible commentary/punditry. Who's to say that Irish viewers wouldn't start flicking to BBC in the World Cup and Euros if the quality of commentary was as poor on RTE?

Being a good commentator isn't as easy as it sounds and George is great. He's streets ahead of anyone Irish in his field IMO. As others have said I'm not all that surprised at what he's earning and there's certainly other targets to pick on in our country than George.

Met him once and he's an absolute gent.