A former NFL tight end turned media personality Shannon Sharpe is a man who has continually evolved from athlete to business mogul. However, he had a significant opportunity years ago to become a tech giant — an opportunity he ultimately missed out on due to not following his instincts.
In a recent conversation on “Club Shay Shay” with Dallas Mavericks owner and “Shark Tank” host Mark Cuban, Sharpe reflected on a missed investment in Google, the fourth-most valuable company in the world, that would have made him a billionaire.
Sharpe recalled, “I remember when Google came out, and they thought the shares were going to open up at about $85 a share, and I remember saying to my financial guys, ‘You know what, I’ve just signed with the Ravens, I have some money. Man, I’d like to buy $300,000 worth [of Google shares].’”
Unfortunately, his financial adviser discouraged him from the investment, citing that the shares were overpriced at $115.
“That motherf— ther!” Sharpe exclaimed, with Cuban laughing at how he also missed out on the chance to cash in on a new venture because he was cautious about the opening share.
With the company now worth over $3 trillion, Sharpe lamented, “I’d have been a billionaire with you!”
Cuban humorously quipped, “You f—ked up,” noting he could have invested in Netflix and Google, but did not.
Despite missing out on this life-changing investment, Sharpe has done well for himself, currently boasting a net worth of $14 million.
While it’s not the same as the potential billions Google would have provided, Sharpe’s diverse ventures have allowed him to remain in the spotlight and build a substantial portfolio.
Sharpe’s path to success began on the football field, where he entered the NFL in 1990, playing for the Denver Broncos.
He later signed a lucrative four-year, $13.8 million deal with the Baltimore Ravens in 2000. He rejoined the Broncos in 2002 on a seven-year, $16 million contract before retiring in 2003.
Over his NFL career, he earned a total of $22.3 million in salary alone, Spotrac reports. Known as one of the greatest tight ends of all time, Sharpe won three Super Bowl championships and became the first tight end to accumulate more than 10,000 receiving yards. These on-field accomplishments helped establish his reputation, paving the way for his post-football ventures.
Sharpe transitioned from the NFL to broadcasting, where he joined “The NFL Today” pregame show on CBS Sports. Though initially criticized for his broadcasting skills, Sharpe eventually became a respected figure in sports media. However, in 2014, CBS replaced him and Dan Marino with Tony Gonzalez and Bart Scott. But Sharpe was not deterred — he continued to expand his media presence, becoming a columnist for “FitnessRX For Men” magazine and landing a cover in 2013.
Sharpe truly found his footing as a co-host on “Skip and Shannon: Undisputed,” alongside sports commentator Skip Bayless.
Airing on Fox Sports 1, the sports debate show helped cement Sharpe’s persona as an opinionated and entertaining media figure. He also co-hosts Sirius NFL Radio’s “Opening Drive” morning program, balancing multiple platforms.
His own podcast, “Club Shay Shay,” has also gained significant traction, showcasing his interviewing skills and knack for connecting with high-profile guests.
One of his most profitable moments came with his viral interview with comedian Katt Williams, a “Club Shay Shay” episode that he hints earned him over $6 million — more than he made in any single season during his NFL career. The episode, which covered controversial topics in Hollywood, garnered over 60 million views on YouTube, further bolstering Sharpe’s media empire, Awful Announcing reports.
Even though he missed out on Google stock, Sharpe’s business savvy, hard work, and adaptability have kept him in the game. While $14 million in net worth may pale compared to the potential billions he could have earned from Google.
The “Nightcap” host may have missed out on being a tech tycoon, but he’s making waves in his own right.
