Shannon Sharpe has revealed that a recent Instagram livestream mishap could cost him up to $200 million in potential sponsorship deals. The 56-year-old ESPN star and NFL Hall of Famer accidentally went live on Instagram while engaging in a private moment, sparking a viral incident that he later addressed on his podcast Nightcap.
Initially, Sharpe’s team claimed that his account had been hacked, but the former tight end later took full responsibility, acknowledging the mistake during an episode of Nightcap. The incident prompted podcaster Jason Whitlock to accuse Sharpe of deliberately staging the blunder, referring to him as a “master at baiting” and suggesting the livestream may have been intentional.
Sharpe, however, vehemently denied these allegations in a follow-up episode of Nightcap, explaining the significant business repercussions he’s now facing.
“People are trying to say it was staged,” Sharpe said. “Today, I just lost an interview on Club ShayShay that would have been with the most high-profile person I’ve ever interviewed. They said no.”
He elaborated further on the financial impact the mistake could have on his brand. “We’ve got six- and seven-figure sponsors and advertisers saying, ‘Shannon, we don’t know if we want to continue this relationship.'”
RELATED: Shannon Sharpe Receives Major Cash Offer After Viral Racy Video Incident
Sharpe also shed light on the broader stakes at play, noting that his media company, ShayShay Media, is on the verge of becoming a free agent, meaning his shows Nightcap and Club ShayShay could potentially move to other platforms.
He highlighted that his company could have secured deals worth between $170 million and $200 million over the next five to seven years.
“So you think I would be willing to risk that?” Sharpe asked, rhetorically. “Would you be willing to risk $200 million?”
While Sharpe has outlined the significant financial stakes, it appears ESPN will not be taking disciplinary action against him. However, his absence from Thursday’s episode of First Take was notable, as the show proceeded with host Molly Qerim, Stephen A. Smith, Dan Orlovsky, and Jason McCourty filling in for Sharpe.
Reflecting on the incident during his Nightcap podcast, Sharpe admitted that his “heart sank” when he realized what had happened. He recalled how he was flooded with calls alerting him to the fact that his private moment was being broadcast to millions of followers.
“All of a sudden, people are calling me, ‘Shannon, you’re on IG Live. They can hear you were having sex,’” Sharpe recalled.
He further acknowledged the embarrassment of the situation, particularly given his typically private nature. “I’m someone who is extremely, extremely private. And to have one of your most intimate details—the audio—heard by the entire world… I’m embarrassed for a number of reasons.”
Sharpe, a former NFL tight end who spent most of his career with the Denver Broncos, explained that the mishap was unintentional and partly due to his unfamiliarity with Instagram Live. “I did not know how IG Live works,” Sharpe said. “I’ve never turned it on before.”
Sharpe had an illustrious playing career, winning three Super Bowl championships before retiring in 2003.
Since then, he’s transitioned into a successful career in broadcasting, becoming a key figure on ESPN and co-hosting popular shows like First Take and his own Club ShayShay. Despite the embarrassment and potential financial fallout from the Instagram mishap, Sharpe remains focused on moving forward and repairing the damage.
While the future of his sponsorships and partnerships may be uncertain, Sharpe’s reputation as a candid and charismatic sports commentator will likely keep him in the public eye—though he’s sure to be more cautious with his social media use in the future.
