Karch Kiraly is a retired American professional volleyball player and coach who was born on November 3, 1960, in Santa Barbara, California.
He is considered one of the greatest volleyball players of all time and has won numerous championships and medals throughout his career, including Olympic gold medals, World Cup, and World Championship titles.
After retiring from playing, he became a successful coach and led the American women’s national volleyball team to their first-ever gold medal at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. Kiraly has a net worth of $2 million, earned through volleyball deals, endorsements, and other business ventures.
About Karch Kiraly
Karch Kiraly was born on November 3, 1960, in the picturesque city of Santa Barbara, California. His parents, Antoinette and Laszlo Kiraly, played an essential role in his life. Laszlo, a former Hungarian junior national volleyball team member, had a significant impact on his son’s passion for the sport. Kiraly began playing volleyball at the tender age of six with his father’s guidance and support.
Kiraly pursued a major in biochemistry during his college years. He contemplated a career in medicine after completing his degree but ultimately decided to focus on his love for volleyball.
Personal Informatioin
| Full name | Charles Frederick “Karch” Kiraly |
| Nickname | “Karch” |
| Birthdate | November 3, 1960 |
| Height | 6’2″ (1.88 m) |
| Nationality | American |
| Team | Joined the US National team in 1982 |
| Children | Kristian Kiraly Kory Kiraly |
| College | The University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) |
| Net Worth | $2 million |
| Age | 63 |
| Profession | Volleyball Player |
| World Championships | 1986 France (Gold) |
| Birthplace | Jackson, Michigan, U.S. |
| Parents | Laszio Kiraly and Antoinette Kiraly |
| Merch | Autobiography, Autograph, Trading Card |
| Social Media | Facebook Twitter Instagram |
| League | NBA |
| Olympics Gold | 1984 – Los Angeles (Indoor) 1988 – Seoul (Indoor) 1996 Atlanta (Beach) |
| Jersey Number | #31 for UCLA #15 for USA |
| School | Santa Barbara High School |
| Relationship status | Married to Janna Kiraly |
| Weight | 205 lb (93 kg) |
Career
Kiraly’s early career was marked by impressive achievements. He participated in his first beach volleyball tournament alongside his father at only 11 years old. His undeniable talent and determination led him to join the national team in 1981, where he quickly began to make a name for himself. Kiraly won silver medals at the NORCECA Championships in 1981 and 1987, and gold medals in 1983 and 1985 while representing the United States.
Karch Kiraly achieved the remarkable Volleyball Triple Crown. He won gold medals at the 1984 Olympic Games, the 1985 World Cup, and the 1986 World Championship. As team captain, he continued to excel by earning the MVP award and gold medals at the 1988 Olympic Games, the 1987 Savin Cup, and the Pan American Games.
Between 1990 and 1992, Kiraly played professional volleyball in the Italian leagues, adding two more gold medals to his collection. His remarkable skills helped his team, II Messagero, secure the World Club Championship in 1991. After an extraordinary career, Karch Kiraly decided to retire in 1992.
Broadcasting and Coaching Achievements
After retiring from his extraordinary playing career, Karch Kiraly remained active in the volleyball world by pursuing opportunities in broadcasting and coaching. He initially worked as a commentator for the AVP (Association of Volleyball Professionals) on NBC broadcasts and later joined ESPN as a broadcaster.
Kiraly’s expertise in the sport made him a valuable asset in sports coverage, and in 2008, he served as an analyst for NBC Sports during their Summer Olympics beach volleyball broadcasts.
Aside from his broadcasting career, Kiraly’s passion for volleyball led him to coach his sons, Kristian and Kory. In 2012, he took on the responsibility of leading the U.S. National Women’s Volleyball team, helping them secure a silver medal at the London Olympics.
Recognizing his coaching potential, authorities appointed Kiraly as the head coach of the U.S. National Women’s Volleyball Team for the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Under his guidance, the team achieved remarkable success. In October 2014, they defeated China in the gold medal final at the FIVB World Championship.
With this victory, Kiraly became the fourth individual in history to win World Championship gold medals both as a player and a coach. His coaching prowess continued to shine as he led the American women’s national volleyball team to their first-ever gold medal at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
Karch Kiraly’s transition from a renowned player to a successful broadcaster and coach further solidified his status as a legend in the world of volleyball.
Karch Kiraly Net Worth, Salary, and Earnings
Karch Kiraly, an iconic figure in the world of volleyball, has amassed an impressive net worth of $2 million. This wealth has been primarily generated through his successful volleyball career, endorsements, investments, and various other income sources.
Salary
Kiraly’s annual income amounts to around $400,000, which he earns through volleyball partnerships, endorsements, and business ventures. As an amateur player, he received a salary of $80,000 per year, but this figure increased as his career progressed and his standing in the sport grew.
In 1990, Kiraly won a gold medal and prize money of $13,200 at the AVP Pro Beach Volleyball tournament, where the total prize pool was $60,000. In 1991, he and his partner Steffen secured $150,000 in prize money from a total pool of $250,000. By 2008, Kiraly had accumulated a significant amount in prize money, totaling around $3 million throughout his career.
Media and Film Appearances
Karch Kiraly has also been involved in television shows and media. He worked as a broadcaster for ESPN and served as a guest speaker on various occasions. In 2005, he was a commentator and sports analyst for AVP broadcasts on NBC Sports.
Kiraly has explored opportunities in the film industry as well. He produced the film “Spiker” and appeared in “Baywatch” as Kurt Stevenson, a beach volleyball player. In 2013, he was featured in the film “Court and Spark.”
Social Media Earnings
In addition to his other income sources, Kiraly earns through his social media presence. He actively shares updates and pictures on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. His social media following includes around 3,000 followers on Facebook, 15,000 followers on Twitter, and 1,575 followers on Instagram.
Endorsements
Karch Kiraly has secured endorsement deals with numerous notable brands, such as Quiksilver, RayBan, Scott Hawaii, Freestyle, and many others. These partnerships further contribute to his overall net worth and establish him as a prominent figure in the sports industry.
Quick Facts
Karch Kiraly’s Girlfriend/Wife
Karch Kiraly is married to Janna Kiraly, and they have two sons together. They currently reside in Heber City, Utah.
Age
Karch is 63 years old (as of 2023).
Height
Karch Kiraly’s height is 6’2″ (1.88 m).