From deep sports fans to those who simply show up for the watch parties, anyone who’s even adjacent to sports has likely heard of Shannon Sharpe. And if for no other reason, it’s for the coveted yelling of his former co-host’s name, “SKIIIIIIIPPPPP.”
The energy behind that exclamation indicates his life’s example — full of joy, fever, and passion.
Shannon Sharpe was raised in Glennville, GA, and had a successful college football career at HBCU Savannah State University (SSU), leading the team to an 8-1 record in 1989. According to SSU, his athletic prowess garnered him the single-season record for receiving yards, touchdowns, and yards per catch.
Sharpe would finish his collegiate career in 1990 with a Bachelor of Science degree in criminal justice and get drafted the same year in the seventh round to the Denver Broncos.
Spending most of his NFL career with the Broncos, he would total 815 receptions, 10,060 yards, and 62 touchdowns.
Sharpe’s work on the field would earn him three Super Bowl championships and 2011 induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
“My life for 14 years in the National Football League was football,” Sharpe said to the Hall of Fame. “I ate, I drank, I slept, and thought football. That’s all I wanted to do. I didn’t take vacations; I didn’t own a yacht. I didn’t have a whole bunch of hobbies other than working out and getting ready for the upcoming season.”
While Sharpe dedicated a good portion of his life to football, his post-professional playing career also saw success. As a podcast host, sports commentator, and entrepreneur, Sharpe managed to amass a fortune.
According to Celebrity Net Worth, Shannon Sharpe has an estimated net worth of $14 million. But let’s take a closer look at what all contributed to Sharpe’s career success.
NFL Earnings
It is no secret that Sharpe was a force to be reckoned with on the football field. Across 15 seasons and two teams — he briefly played for the Baltimore Ravens — Sharpe earned $22.3 million, per Spotrac.
Shannon Sharpe pivoted into a career in sports journalism, most notably joining Fox Sports Network in 2016 as the co-host of “Skip and Shannon: Undisputed” with long-time sports media contributor Skip Bayless. The wildly successful show airing on Fox Sports 1 has been at the center of sports culture.
Due to undisclosed confirmed reasons, Sharpe’s contract for the show was bought out. However, according to the New York Post, a source close to Sharpe noted that he did not want to be the “unquestioned leader on the show, but wanted to be an equal with Bayless in the program’s topic selection.”
Sharpe has also hosted “Club Shay Shay,” a video podcast with a-list guests that discusses culture, society, sports, and business. According to a source, the podcast is exiting Fox Sports as well, per the New York Post.
Luxury Spirits
Sharpe continues to diversify his interests. In partnership with Le Portier, in 2021, Sharpe launched “Sharpe by Le Portier,” a premium cognac connecting the NFL legend to his grandmother, Mary Porter, and his community.
“So much of the inspiration in my life comes from the places I’ve been and people I’ve met through professional football,” Sharpe explained in a press release. “I started thinking, ‘What if I could share that sense of connection and conversation with friends with everyone!’ That’s the reason for creating Le Portier Cognac.”
