Shannon Sharpe is one of the most recognizable talking heads in sports. As a former tight end, he's known as a TV personality and his primary coverage is football. But his sports analysis has expanded to Major League Baseball, the National Basketball Association, and the WNBA.
Unlike some sports analysts who never played professionally, Sharpe played for 14 years in the National Football League and was a three-time Super Bowl champion. His football pedigree has offered him opportunities to transition into the broadcasting booth since retiring more than 20 years ago, and his induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2011 further aided in his popularity over the years.
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But a sexual assault accusation and an ensuing settlement have led to ESPN parting ways with Sharpe, and the case has tarnished his on-air reputation.
Here's how much Sharpe is worth in 2025 and how he has made his money.
What is Shannon Sharpe's net worth in 2025?
Sharpe has a net worth of between $12 million and $30 million in 2025, according to various media sources. Urban Splatter, a website that tracks celebrities, put his net worth at $12 million. Still, those figures may be in question following a settlement in July 2025.
On the social media platform X, Sharpe said that he was asking for $5,900 owed him from fellow former NFL player Chad "Ochocinco" Johnson. The same X post stated that the settlement from the lawsuit amounted to $23 million, without citing a source.
"You owe me $5,900, you know my pocket's light right now," Sharpe said.
If the $23 million figure is correct, Sharpe's wealth may have fallen to anywhere between $7 million and negative $11 million.
Wild: Shannon Sharpe asks Ocho Cinco to pay back the money he owes him after paying $23M to an OF model for his lawsuit.
"You owe me $5,900, you know my pocket's light right now."
pic.twitter.com/ak16SY53zT
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) August 4, 2025
How does Shannon Sharpe make his money?
Sharpe makes his money primarily from his career in media, after retiring from the NFL in 2003.
NFL career
Over his 14-year NFL career, Sharpe earned $22.3 million, according to Over the Cap, which tracks NFL players' salaries.
Broadcasting and ESPN
Sharpe joined ESPN in 2023 as a guest analyst on the First Take show with main host Stephen A. Smith. In 2024, Sharpe signed a multi-year contract with ESPN that expanded his role on First Take and for other programs at the sports network.
His annual base salary was $6.5 million, according to The Athletic.
YouTube
Sharpe has two podcast channels on YouTube. His Club Shay Shay has 4 million subscribers as of August 2025, and is a weekly podcast that features interviews with athletes, celebrities, and social media influencers to discuss various topics on sports, life, and pop culture.
His 2024 episode with comedian Katt Williams went viral on the internet and drew more than 50 million views, and Sharpe said he made more than $6 million from the interview - more than an entire year's salary he made at his peak in the NFL.
Sharpe's other podcast, Nightcap is co-hosted by Chad "Ochocinco" Johnson. The two discuss sports, particularly analyzing a game immediately after the final score. The channel has 1.8 million subscribers.
Prior to the lawsuit settlement, Sharpe was reportedly close to making a podcast deal related to his YouTube channels valued at as much as $100 million, according to The Athletic, but that plan may now be in jeopardy.
Brands
Sharpe lends his celebrity status to his clothing line and a liquor brand. His clothing line, EIGHTYFOUR, blends luxury and athletic streetwear, inspired by his NFL career and jersey number 84, according to its website.
Sharpe also touts a line of cognacs known as Le Portier.
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Who is Shannon Sharpe?
Shannon Sharpe was born in Chicago, Illinois, on June 26, 1968. He has an older brother, Sterling Sharpe, who was a wide receiver for the Green Bay Packers from 1988 to 1994 and is also a Hall of Fame member.
Football career
Shannon Sharpe played football for Savannah State University in Georgia before being drafted in 1990 by the Denver Broncos in the seventh round as the 192nd overall pick that year.
Despite being among the last picks in the draft, Sharpe had a stellar football career. He played almost his entire career for the Denver Broncos from 1990 to 2003, except for two years with the Baltimore Ravens from 2000 to 2001. His Hall of Fame statistics show that he had 10,060 receiving yards, 815 receptions, and 62 touchdowns over his 14-year career. He won back-to-back Super Bowls with the Broncos in 1998 and 1999, and one with the Ravens in 2001.
Sports commentary
After retiring, Sharpe joined the broadcast booth in 2004, starting as an analyst for The NFL Today on CBS Sports and staying with CBS until 2013. He joined another sports commentator, Skip Bayless, on the Undisputed show from 2016 to 2023, when Sharpe joined ESPN.
Sexual assault allegation and settlement
In July 2025, a former girlfriend reached a settlement for an undisclosed amount with Sharpe over rape allegations for incidents that allegedly occured during their two-year relationship. Her lawsuit, filed in April 2025, sought $50 million, according to the Associated Press. Later in the month, ESPN cut ties with Sharpe.
How does Shannon Sharpe spend his money?
Sharpe has a luxury car collection that includes a Lamborghini Aventador, a Rolls-Royce Wraith, and a Ferrari 488 GTB, according to Urban Splatter.
His property assets include a Los Angeles home reportedly valued at $3 million.
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