Shannon Sharpe turned a late-round NFL start into a legendary career, then built a second career in sports media that keeps his name everywhere.
In this article, you will know Shannon Sharpe’s net worth, career earnings, career overview, stats, relationship, and more.
Shannon Sharpe’s Biography
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Shannon Sharpe |
| Date of Birth | June 26, 1968 |
| Age | 57 |
| Nationality | American |
| High School | Glennville High School (Glennville, Georgia) |
| College | Savannah State |
| Height | 6’2″ |
| Weight | 228 lb |
| Turned Pro | 1990 (Drafted by the Denver Broncos) |
| Net Worth | Estimates commonly range from $14 million to $30 million. |
| NFL Career Earnings | $22,328,500 |
| Primary NFL Position | Tight end |
Early Career
Shannon Sharpe grew up in a small-town environment that pushed him to work hard and stay focused on football. He attended Glennville High School in Georgia, then chose Savannah State for college football.
The Denver Broncos drafted him in the seventh round (192nd overall) in 1990 out of Savannah State, and that draft spot helped shape his mindset about earning everything. He entered the league without hype, but he kept improving until he became a featured target in Denver’s offense.
Professional Career
Shannon Sharpe played 14 NFL seasons and finished with 815 receptions, 10,060 receiving yards, and 62 touchdowns.
He earned eight Pro Bowl selections and four first-team All-Pro honors, and he also made the NFL’s 1990s All-Decade Team. He won three Super Bowls as the starting tight end, with back-to-back titles in Denver (Super Bowls XXXII and XXXIII) and another championship with Baltimore (Super Bowl XXXV).
He played 204 regular-season games, and he produced a historic 96-yard touchdown in the AFC Championship Game that stands as the longest TD catch in NFL playoff history.
Shannon Sharpe’s net worth details
As of 2026, Shannon Sharpe’s net worth is usually lands in the $14 million to $30 million range. His money story looks bigger than his NFL paychecks because his post-playing media work now drives a huge part of his income.
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Contract
Sharpe earned $22,328,500 across his NFL career, and Over the Cap tracks that figure as his career earnings total. Over the Cap also lists his biggest cash year as 2000, when he took home $5,000,000.
His contract history shows multiple major deals, including a 1997 transition contract with Denver (3 years, $7.5 million) and a 2000 unrestricted free agent contract with Baltimore (4 years, $13.8 million).
He later returned to Denver on a 2002 deal listed at 7 years and $16,065,000, although he only played through the 2003 season.
Salary
Over the Cap lists Sharpe’s career average per year (career APY) as $1,594,893. The same database lists his largest cap number as $3,125,000 in 1999, which gives a clear snapshot of how NFL pay looked for elite tight ends in that era.
His cash paid by season jumped sharply once he became a star, including multi-million-dollar seasons from 1997 through 2001.
Career Earnings
| Year | Team | Base Salary | Prorated Bonus | Roster Bonus | Cash Paid |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | Broncos | $73,500 | $11,250 | $37,500 | $148,500 |
| 1991 | Broncos | $85,000 | $11,250 | $25,000 | $110,000 |
| 1992 | Broncos | $275,000 | $0 | $50,000 | $325,000 |
| 1993 | Broncos | $325,000 | $100,000 | $35,000 | $760,000 |
| 1994 | Broncos | $700,000 | $100,000 | $0 | $710,000 |
| 1995 | Broncos | $1,100,000 | $100,000 | $100,000 | $1,210,000 |
| 1996 | Broncos | $1,350,000 | $100,000 | $0 | $1,360,000 |
| 1997 | Broncos | $200,000 | $125,000 | $1,425,000 | $2,000,000 |
| 1998 | Broncos | $1,750,000 | $125,000 | $750,000 | $2,500,000 |
| 1999 | Broncos | $2,250,000 | $125,000 | $750,000 | $3,000,000 |
| 2000 | Ravens | $500,000 | $1,125,000 | $0 | $5,000,000 |
| 2001 | Ravens | $500,000 | $1,625,000 | $0 | $2,000,000 |
| 2002 | Broncos | $750,000 | $114,285 | $0 | $1,550,000 |
| 2003 | Broncos | $755,000 | $114,285 | $0 | $755,000 |
Career Stats
| Stat | Total |
|---|---|
| Games played | 204 |
| Receptions | 815 |
| Receiving yards | 10,060 |
| Receiving TDs | 62 |
| Yards per catch | 12.3 |
| Pro Bowls | 8 |
| First-team All-Pro | 4 |
| Super Bowl wins | 3 (XXXII, XXXIII, XXXV) |
FAQs
1. What is Shannon Sharpe’s net worth?
Most net worth estimates for Sharpe fall between $14 million and $30 million. His NFL pay matters, but his media work now drives the bigger income conversation around him.
2. How much money did Shannon Sharpe make in the NFL?
Over the Cap lists Sharpe’s NFL career earnings at $22,328,500. That number covers his full playing run, including his top cash year in 2000 when he earned $5,000,000.
3. What teams did Sharpe play for during his NFL career?
Sharpe played for the Denver Broncos and the Baltimore Ravens during his 14 NFL seasons. He won championships with both franchises and finished his career with Denver after returning for his final years.
4. How many Super Bowls did Shannon Sharpe win?
Sharpe won three Super Bowls as a starting tight end. He won Super Bowls XXXII and XXXIII with the Broncos and Super Bowl XXXV with the Ravens.
5. How many kids does Shannon Sharpe have?
Sharpe has three children. He named them during his Hall of Fame speech as Kayla, Kiari, and Kaley, and he thanked them for the sacrifices they made during his football career.
