Jon Wertheim Biography
Jon Wertheim is an American journalist, author, and television correspondent who serves as a senior writer for Sports Illustrated. He joined the magazine’s editorial staff full time in 1996 and has covered a broad range of sports stories, with a particular focus on tennis.
He also reports for CBS’s 60 Minutes, covering subjects both inside and outside sports. His work looks at major events, well-known athletes, and the wider social and cultural issues surrounding them.
Wertheim has written eleven books on sports, tennis, and other topics. He’s also a tennis commentator, mainly for the Tennis Channel, and has hosted or appeared as a guest on a number of sports and news podcasts.
In 2025, he took on a larger role in documentary filmmaking, serving as executive producer and on-air reporter for HBO Max’s Surviving Ohio State. The documentary examined the sexual abuse scandal involving Richard Strauss, a former team doctor at Ohio State University. Through his work in print, television, broadcasting, and documentaries, Wertheim has become a prominent voice in American sports journalism.
Jon Wertheim Age
How old is Jon Wertheim? Born Lewis Jonathan Wertheim on November 11, 1970, in Bloomington, Indiana, Jon Wertheim is 55 years old as of November 2026. His birthday falls on November 11, and his zodiac sign is Scorpio.
Jon Wertheim Education
Wertheim attended Bloomington High School North in Indiana, graduating in 1989. He went on to Yale University, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in history in 1993.
He later studied law at the University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School, graduating in 1997.
Though trained as a lawyer, Wertheim chose journalism over a traditional legal career. While in law school, he landed an internship at Sports Illustrated, which eventually led to a full-time writing role at the magazine.
Jon Wertheim Parents
Wertheim was born in Bloomington, Indiana, to parents with academic backgrounds. His father taught English at Indiana University, and his parents encouraged learning, reading, and intellectual curiosity.
In an interview, Wertheim described growing up in a home where academics took precedence over sports. His parents weren’t especially interested in athletics, but he developed an early love of tennis and basketball.
Some sources list his parents as Albert E. Wertheim and Judith A. Barr.
Jon Wertheim Nationality
Jon Wertheim is an American journalist and author. Born in Bloomington, Indiana, he grew up in the United States.
Jon Wertheim Religion
Jon Wertheim hasn’t shared detailed information about his religious beliefs in a public biography. While some online sources link him to Judaism, there isn’t enough reliable information to confirm his current religious affiliation or how observant he is.
Is Jon Wertheim Jewish?
Some discussions of Jon Wertheim mention Jewish heritage. In an earlier interview, he jokingly referred to Jewish guilt while talking about choosing journalism over a career in law.
That remark, on its own, doesn’t confirm his beliefs or personal religious identity.
Jon Wertheim Height
Jon Wertheim hasn’t publicly confirmed his exact height. Some estimates that he stands at an approximate height of 5 feet 9 inches.
Jon Wertheim Wife
Jon Wertheim is married to Ellie Wertheim, a lawyer who works as a divorce mediator and adjunct law professor. They married on May 15, 1999, and have kept their family life mostly private.
Despite her husband’s public profile as a television correspondent and sports journalist, Ellie has largely stayed out of the spotlight.
The couple has two children and has lived in New York City.
Jon Wertheim Children
Jon and Ellie Wertheim have two children: a son, Benjamin B. Wertheim, and a daughter, Allegra Wertheim.
They have largely stayed out of public view. In a 2021 interview, Wertheim said his children were growing up and continuing their education.
At the time, both were nearing adulthood. Wertheim has occasionally spoken about balancing the demands of journalism with his responsibilities as a husband and father.
Jon Wertheim Suspended
Jon Wertheim was suspended from Tennis Channel in November 2024 after making controversial comments about Czech tennis player Barbora Krejčíková.
The remarks came during a live broadcast of the WTA Finals, when an exchange from a private studio rehearsal was accidentally aired. Wertheim made an inappropriate joke about Krejčíková’s forehead and appearance.
Krejčíková later spoke publicly about the comments, saying she was disappointed that attention had shifted to her looks instead of her achievements on the court.
Wertheim apologized publicly, calling his remarks deeply regrettable and unprofessional. He also said he had apologized to Krejčíková personally.
After the incident, Tennis Channel said it had removed him from its programming indefinitely, citing its expectations for professionalism and respect.
The suspension applied to his role as a Tennis Channel analyst, not his work with Sports Illustrated or CBS’s 60 Minutes.
Jon Wertheim 60 Minutes
Jon Wertheim is a correspondent for 60 Minutes, CBS News’ investigative newsmagazine program. He joined CBS News in 2017, broadening his career beyond print journalism and sports commentary.
His reporting spans a wide range of topics, including sports, business, international affairs, entertainment, culture, and investigative stories.
Some of his notable assignments include:
– A profile of Japanese baseball star Shohei Ohtani.
– An interview with basketball legend Charles Barkley.
– An investigation into the Taylor Energy oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico.
– A report on how Saudi Arabia’s sports investments shape its international image.
– An interview with tennis champion Rafael Nadal.
– Coverage of how Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has affected the ballet world.
Wertheim’s work for 60 Minutes has earned Emmy recognition and several nominations. His willingness to take on subjects beyond sports has made him a versatile contributor to the program.
Jon Wertheim Sports Illustrated
Jon Wertheim is a senior writer and executive editor at Sports Illustrated, where he has been reporting since the 1990s. He joined the magazine in 1996 and became a full-time staff writer in 1997.
His work covers professional tennis, basketball, mixed martial arts, sports business, and social issues. Wertheim often goes beyond game results, examining the business, legal, and cultural forces that shape professional sports.
He is particularly known for his tennis coverage and weekly Tennis Mailbag column, where he answers readers’ questions about players, tournaments, and what’s happening in the sport.
He has also written widely about prominent athletes, sports controversies, and investigations involving teams and organizations.
Alongside his work at the magazine, Wertheim has authored 11 books, several of which have become New York Times bestsellers.
Jon Wertheim Lesley Stahl, and Bill Whitaker
Lesley Stahl, Bill Whitaker and Jon Wertheim are CBS journalists and correspondents for 60 Minutes.
In June 2026, the three drew attention when they said they planned to stay with 60 Minutes despite major internal changes and a wave of staff departures.
Their decision came after several high-profile journalists and producers left or were dismissed, including Scott Pelley, Sharyn Alfonsi and Cecilia Vega.
In a joint statement to colleagues, Stahl, Whitaker and Wertheim voiced concern about how departing colleagues had been treated and about the future of the newsmagazine. They said they wanted to stand by the remaining staff and help preserve the program’s journalistic traditions.
Also they made clear that staying didn’t mean they supported every decision by CBS management. They said their focus was on protecting editorial independence and continuing their reporting.
The announcement drew considerable attention, given the three journalists’ standing in the 60 Minutes newsroom.
Jon Wertheim Salary
Jon Wertheim has not publicly shared how much he earns from CBS News, Sports Illustrated, or his work as a tennis commentator.
Some sources estimate that his various professional activities bring in around $2 million a year.
Jon Wertheim Net Worth
Jon Wertheim’s net worth is estimated at $4 million, though his actual financial situation has not been made public.
