What Is James Spann’s Net Worth?
James Spann is a television meteorologist and podcast host in Birmingham, Alabama, and has a net worth of $3 million. Since 1996, Spann has served as chief meteorologist for ABC 33/40 and is known for winning the award of Best Weather Anchor in Alabama thirteen times.
In this article, we’ll dive into everything we know about James Spann the Weatherman.
The Origin Story
He was born in Huntsville, Alabama, a town close to the border of Tennessee, on June 6, 1956.
His father, Max Spann, sold lumber, while his mother, Carolyn Spann, was a high school secretary.
When James was 7 years old, his father left the family. Carolyn moved herself and James to Tuscaloosa so that she could complete her degree at the University of Alabama.
He discovered broadcasting in Tuscaloosa.
Spann developed an interest in amateur or “ham” radio.
He dove into radio technology and communication and became a ham radio operator at the age of 14.
At 17, he was hired to play the night shift on WTBC Tuscaloosa.
Spann went on to study electrical engineering at the University of Alabama, paying his tuition through his radio job at WTBC.
In 1978, he joined the world of television.
A Notable Weather Career and Accolades
Spann is a national well-known figure in the news.
Performing best when the weather is at its worst, he sports signature suspenders and passionate delivery.
After graduating from the University of Alabama, Spann began his career in television in 1978, starting as a news anchor and part-time weatherman.
At this point, he had no real weather training or education but was quickly enamored by weather reporting.
In 1979 at age 23, he was brought on by WAPI-TV Birmingham as one of the nation’s youngest chief meteorologists.
By the early ’90s, Spann had earned a certificate from the meteorology program at Mississippi State University with prestigious accolades from the National Weather Association and the American Meteorological Society.
He joined ABC 33/40 in 1996, and by 2001, he had an Emmy for his coverage of a deadly Tuscaloosa tornado.
James has received many awards since, including the American Meteorological Society’s 33rd Certified Broadcast Meteorologist.
He experienced a pivotal point in his career during a violent tornado outbreak in April of 2011.
Alabama experienced over 60 tornadoes in one day, with thousands injured and a death toll of 253.
Spann covered the tornado on live television for over eight hours to educate and save as many lives as possible.
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Book
In January 2019, Spann published his first book, an autobiography titled “Weathering Life.”
Wife
James Spann has been happily married to his wife Karen Spann since June 6, 1981.
Children
Spann has two children, J.P. and Ryan, who are 13 years apart.
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Net Worth
So, how much is James Spann worth?
Spann has multiple streams that net him income.
He earns his primary income as the chief weatherman on WBMA-LD, Birmingham, Alabama’s ABC affiliate. However, he has also started a very successful podcast, written multiple books, and founded organizations.
All of which bring in more income.
As a chief meteorologist, Spann brings home a stout six-figure salary.
He is among the highest-paid workers in Alabama. To be considered “rich” in Alabama, one must bring in at least $88,000 a year.
James Spann started his podcast Weatherbrains in 2006 and reaps the benefits of being early to podcasting.
Spann has not missed a week of coverage since his podcast’s inception. Weatherbrains nets hundreds of views on YouTube and thousands of extra dollars for Spann and the colleagues who host it.
In January 2019, Spann published his first book with Crest Publishers: an autobiography titled “Weathering Life.”
Writers are given an advance on promised books and make up to 20% in royalties on print and 25% on audiobooks and ebooks.
In 2021, Spann and Crest Publishers released “All You Can Do Is Pray,” a narrative highlighting the generational Alabama tornado outbreak of April 2011.
Spann also earns royalties on branded apparel and merchandise sold on Crest Publishers’ website.
The Weather Factory is a private company founded by Spann that provides forecasts and data to businesses nationwide.
Spann earns additional income from selling these forecasts.
Spann is also a co-founder of AllWorship.com, a non-profit broadcasting company that streams three Christian radio stations. Non-Profit executives can earn over $100,000 a year.
Spann owns a house on a large plot of land in Ohatchee, Alabama. However, Spann’s home was destroyed by an Alabama tornado in March of 2021.
He learned this tragic news live on air while broadcasting the tornado.
Therefore, American television meteorologist James Spann has an estimated net worth of $3 million.
He is a humble, local Alabama celebrity who knows how to put his money where his mouth is by consistently working with the local church and youth communities.
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I am Bulgarea Candin Stefan, and I founded FamousPeopleToday.com in 2018. I’m using my bachelor’s degree in economics and 9 years of experience in blogging to guide millions of people through the incredibly complex world of celebrity net worths.