Karen Carney Biography: Husband, Age, Net Worth, Height, Parents, Career, Broadcasting, Awards

Karen Julia Carney OBE is an English sports journalist and former professional footballer, renowned for her illustrious career as a winger and midfielder for clubs like Arsenal, Birmingham City, and Chelsea, as well as her 144 caps for the England women’s national team.

Since retiring in 2019, she has become a prominent broadcaster and pundit for Sky Sports, ITV, TNT Sports, and Amazon Prime, covering both men’s and women’s football, including the Premier League and Women’s Super League.

Carney’s insightful commentary and advocacy for women’s football, notably as Chair of the Future of Women’s Football Review in 2022–2023, have cemented her status as a trailblazer in the sport and media.

Profile

• Full Name: Karen Julia Carney
• Stage Name: Karen Carney
• Born: 1 August, 1987
• Age: 37 years old
• Birthplace: Solihull, West Midlands, England
• Nationality: British
• Occupation: Sports Journalist, Former Professional Footballer
• Height: 1.78 m
• Parents: Michael Carney, Marie Carney
• Siblings: Unknown
• Spouse: None
• Children: Unknown
• Relationship: Single
• Net Worth: $4 million

Early Life and Education

Karen Julia Carney was born on August 1, 1987, in Solihull, West Midlands, England, to Michael and Marie Carney. Information about her siblings is not publicly known.

She attended St. Ambrose Barlow Catholic Primary School and St. Peter’s RC Secondary School in Solihull, where her passion for football developed early, playing from age six.

Carney graduated from Loughborough University with a Bachelor of Science in Sports and Exercise Science, specializing in Physiology and Sports Psychology, and later earned a Master of Science in Sports Psychology from the University of Gloucestershire in 2013.

In 2022, she completed an MBA at the James Lind Institute. Her ethnicity is English, and though her religious beliefs are not publicly known.

Career

Karen Carney began her football career at Birmingham City Ladies at age 11, making her senior debut at 14 against Fulham Ladies in the FA Women’s Premier League.

Named FA Young Player of the Year in 2005 and 2006, she joined Arsenal in 2006, achieving a historic quadruple in 2006–07, including the UEFA Women’s Cup, FA Women’s Premier League, FA Women’s Cup, and FA Women’s Premier League Cup.

Her early international success came with England’s senior team in 2005, scoring in a 4–1 win over Italy at age 17, and a last-minute goal against Finland at UEFA Women’s Euro 2005, earning significant media attention.

Carney’s career continued to flourish with a stint at Chicago Red Stars in the U.S. Women’s Professional Soccer league (2009–2010), followed by a return to Birmingham City from 2011 to 2015.

She led Birmingham to their first FA Women’s Cup triumph in 2012, earning a woman-of-the-match performance, and was inducted into the club’s Hall of Fame in 2015.

Joining Chelsea in 2015, she captained the team to a Women’s Super League title, FA Women’s Cup, and other honors, earning the 2016 Player of the Year award.

She represented England in four World Cups, four European Championships, and the 2012 Olympics, retiring in 2019 after 144 caps and 32 goals.

Since retiring, Carney has excelled as a broadcaster, becoming Sky Sports’ lead Women’s Super League pundit in 2021 and covering major tournaments like the 2022 FIFA World Cup and Euro 2024 for ITV.

She chairs the Future of Women’s Football Review, published in July 2023, advocating for growth in women’s football.

Despite facing sexist online abuse, notably after a 2020 Leeds United tweet, she remains a respected voice, contributing to BBC Sport, The Guardian, and CBS Sports.

Her work, including co-creating the Second Half program for post-career support for women footballers, underscores her lasting impact.

Social Media

• Instagram Handle: @karenjcarney

Personal Life

Karen Carney is single and keeps her personal life private, with no confirmed romantic partners or children.

She is a patron for Meningitis Now and actively supports women’s football development through her advocacy work.

Net Worth

Karen Carney has an estimated net worth of $4 million USD. Her wealth stems from her successful football career with clubs like Arsenal and Chelsea, where she earned around $44,000 annually, supplemented by endorsements with brands like Pepsi.

Her current income is driven by her broadcasting roles with Sky Sports, ITV, and Amazon Prime, as well as her columns for BBC Sport and The Guardian.