Joe Rogan didn’t just blaze a trail for podcasting success, he practically wrote the blueprint! Originally launched on 24 December 2009, the JRE or The Joe Rogan Experience has become the gold standard for the medium. And in 2020, Spotify noticed. What followed was a period of exclusivity on the platform, and the deal was worth more than $200 million over 3.5 years at the time.
And in 2024, they extended his contract for a staggering $250 million over three years. That’s $83 million a year to talk hunting, aliens, UFC, psychedelics, and whatever else crosses his mind. So, who’s bold enough to chase that kind of bag? Enter Shannon Sharpe.
Once a Hall of Fame tight end, now a media machine, Sharpe is flipping the script on what post-football success looks like. His podcast Club Shay Shay is a cultural monster. And when the legendary comedian, Katt Williams stopped by for an episode that now boasts 89 million views on YouTube, the internet couldn’t look away. That moment didn’t just break the internet—it broke expectations.
Now, the former NFL star is cashing in on his new career, big time. According to a post on Instagram by Front Office Sports, “Shannon Sharpe has received multiple offers and is expected to sign a deal that would exceed $100 million, sources tell FOS.”
The reports also confirmed that his current deal with Colin Cowherd’s The Volume network is up, leaving the door wide open for Sharpe to explore greener pastures. The move would also cover all content on the Shay Shay network, which includes “Club Shay Shay, Nightcap, Club 520 Podcast, Bubba Dub, and Humble Baddies.”
Not bad for someone who once made just over $22 million across a 15-year NFL career! But when comparing it to Joe Rogan‘s podcasting empire, it still falls short. But it’s not like Sharpe is slowing down or losing steam. His growing media presence, including ESPN’s First Take, has made ‘Unc’ a household name beyond the sports world. And with the podcast market hotter than ever, the timing couldn’t be better.
Still, Rogan’s reign isn’t the only target Sharpe’s aiming at. He’s now officially among the top dogs in the game as we take a look at the names that are the ‘top dogs’ in the podcasting game!
Joe Rogan maintains his grip on the top spot in the list of the top 6 highest-paid podcasters
According to a report published by Quartz late last year, here are the elite few who are turning podcasts into printing presses for cash:
Joe Rogan – $83M/year ($250M over three years)
The Spotify king. Most listened-to podcast on the platform in 2023.
Karen Kilgariff & Georgia Hardstark – $100M
Their true-crime juggernaut My Favorite Murder was scooped up by Amazon in 2022.
Dax Shepard – $80M
His Armchair Expert podcast snagged an Amazon Wondery deal that shocked even industry insiders.
Bill Simmons – $50M/year ($250M over five years)
ESPN alum turned The Ringer into a sports and pop culture empire, now under Spotify’s wing.
Jason Bateman, Sean Hayes & Will Arnett – $33M/year ($100M over three years)
The trio’s SmartLess podcast, with guest spots from three U.S. presidents, is now backed by SiriusXM.
Alex Cooper – $41M/year ($125M over three years)
Call Her Daddy was once a Barstool property—now it’s a SiriusXM flagship.
So, where does Sharpe fit in? If the reports hold true, he could leapfrog a few names on this list. But Joe Rogan? That’s still the Everest of podcasting. A peak that, so far, no one’s reached.
Nevertheless, Shannon Sharpe’s rise has been meteoric. From clashing with Skip Bayless on Undisputed, to creating Club Shay Shay, to dominating YouTube alongside Ochocinco—he’s hit every mark. What was once just a sports podcast has evolved into a full-blown entertainment network. So, where does he go from here? And will he be able to chase down Joe Rogan’s records like he did on the gridiron? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
The post Shannon Sharpe Falls Nearly $150M Short of Joe Rogan’s Spotify Deal as 6 Highest Paid Podcasters Revealed appeared first on EssentiallySports.
