Shannon Sharpe set to score podcast deal worth four times his NFL earnings

Shannon Sharpe, who's the host of multiple podcasts like Club Shay Shay and Nightcap is one of the prominent sports podcasters.

Shannon Sharpe set to score podcast deal worth four times his NFL earnings

Shannon Sharpe (Image via Deadline)

Once known as a dominant tight end with the Denver Broncos and Baltimore Ravens, Shannon Sharpe now commands national attention as a media personality. Since retiring in 2004, he has steadily built a presence across major sports platforms.

Shannon Sharpe’s post-football career has evolved into a remarkable success story within the growing podcast industry. Today, he is on the verge of a potentially historic media deal reportedly worth up to $100 million. Sharpe earned $22.3 million during his Hall of Fame NFL career, but could eclipse that in media earnings.

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Sharpe’s rise as a broadcaster began with his stint on FS1’s “Undisputed,” where he quickly gained popularity. However, his podcasting career started much earlier when he launched Club Shay Shay in 2020 as a FOX Sports podcast along with his brother, Sterling Sharpe.

In 2023, Shannon Sharpe jumped ships to join Colin Cowherd’s “The Volume” network following a fallout with Skip Bayless. According to Front Office Sports, Sharpe’s deal with the network is set to expire soon. His network, which now includes Nightcap with Chad Johnson, is reportedly drawing offers worth nine figures.

There’s no doubt Shannon has become one of the most influential voices in modern sports media. This is more than a podcast—it’s a full network with proven, high-traffic shows and real market value.

a source told FOS

Furthermore, Sharpe’s audience has grown due to his consistent presence across multiple channels, including his regular appearances on ESPN’s First Take.

Moving away from FS1’s Undisputed gave Shannon Sharpe the jumpstart

Shannon Sharpe had been a popular podcaster with commanding national attention before he joined the Volume network heralded by Colin Cowherd. However, the new deal demands the question whether joining Volume changed his career in a huge way, i.e. one that is now talking nine figures.

Shannon Sharpe and Skip Bayless
Shannon Sharpe and Skip Bayless (Image via People)

Sharpe’s career experienced a significant surge after his departure from Undisputed in 2023. While his on-screen chemistry with Skip Bayless often went viral, their relationship deteriorated following a series of on-air tensions and personal jabs.

A breaking point came when Bayless made disparaging remarks about Sharpe’s Hall of Fame career during a live segment. The harsh comments clearly upset Sharpe and led to visible discomfort on set. However, Skip Bayless has commented that it was FS1 who forced Sharpe out of their show amid his exit.

Sharpe left FS1 amid growing friction and joined ESPN, where he quickly became a standout voice on First Take. This came a day after joining Cowherd’s network. His transition to podcasting further accelerated his rise. Club Shay Shay, already gaining traction, exploded in popularity.

The success of Club Shay Shay, especially the viral episode featuring comedian Katt Williams, helped elevate Sharpe’s platform as well as his purse. The episode, released in January 2024, has surpassed 89 million views on YouTube. In February 2025, the Club Shay Shay podcast also won the Outstanding Society and Culture Podcast at the 2025 NAACP Image Awards.

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