Shannon Sharpe's Podcasts Are Winning Awards And He Gains 'Legitimacy' From Record-Breaking Katt Williams Interview

Shannon Sharpe evolved from a celebrated HBCU and NFL star into a skilled sports analyst and talk show host, becoming a media powerhouse today.
Feb 16, 2024; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Team Shannon coach Shannon Sharpe on the red carpet before the
Feb 16, 2024; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Team Shannon coach Shannon Sharpe on the red carpet before the / Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports

HOUSTON - Shannon Sharpe is having a fantastic year since his departure from Undisputed with Skip Bayless. The HBCU legend from Savannah State has disrupted the podcast world. His point of view is fresh at times and there's some controversy, but it's working. Usually, Sharpe, Chad Johnson or Gilbert Arenas deliver an unorthodox approach to covering sports and real-life topics on the Nightcap, while Shannon flies solo on Club Shay Shay.

SHANNON SHARPE SETTING RECORDS, WINNING AWARDS

Shannon Sharpe's shows have received overwhelming recognition, earning several podcasting awards voted on by fans. Last week, Unc and Ocho won the prestigious Webby Award for the Best Sports Podcast. The honor was so significant that there's a photo of Johnson holding the trophy as he slept, a testament to the appeal of their work.

Club Shay Shay set a YouTube record when Katt Williams' guest appearance became the most-watched interview in the channel's history, with over 69 million views. That one-on-one with the legendary comedian earned Sharpe a cool $6 million check and counting.

The former HBCU and NFL football star is keenly aware of the interview's impact on Club Shay Shay and his career. "What television did for sports, Katt Williams did for Club Shay Shay," he told Johnson and Arenas. "Prior to television, you could hear, you could listen - he paused - but you couldn't see....it gave it legitimacy."

SHANNON SHARPE'S CAREER SKYROCKETED AFTER UNDISPUTED

On August 23, 2023, Sharpe entered a partnership to place Club Shay Shay on The Volume's podcast platform. Colin Cowherd runs The Volume and was extremely pleased to bring Sharpe to the growing network. Unlike his days with FS1 and Undisputed, Sharpe has more control and freedom over his content, guests, social media, and production.

Shannon is rapidly gaining millions of fans, followers, critics, and haters. Despite the naysayers, he's earning millions more than he did with CBS Sports and Fox Sports. That's not bad for a poor Glenville, Georgia, boy who grew up using an outhouse.

Shannon Sharpe
Dec 9, 2023; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Former NFL player Shannon Sharpe looks on in the second half of / Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports


WHAT'S NEXT FOR SHANNON SHARPE?

The Pro Football and Black College Football Hall of Famer has gained his voice and is charting new directions for sports figures who are beginning to dominate the podcast world. This past week, Bleacher Report signed a deal with Dallas Cowboys defensive star Micah Parsons to become the president of B/R Gridiron. Thus, Parsons is now the first athlete to head a media company.

Love him, like him, or hate him, Shannon Sharpe will continue to cut through the muck of status quo media. We may not be waiting long to learn of his next broadcasting venture.

Well, we shall see.

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Kyle T. Mosley
KYLE T. MOSLEY

I am Kyle T. Mosley, the Founder, Managing Editor, and Chief Reporter for the HBCU Legends, Saints News Network, and Pelicans Scoop on FanNation a Sports Illustrated team channel since October 2019.  Morehouse Alum, McDonogh #35 Roneagles (NOLA), Drum Major of the Tenacious Four.  My Father, Mother, Grandmother, Aunts and Uncles were HBCU graduates! Host of "Blow the Whistle" HBCU Legends, "The Quad" with Coach Steward, and "Bayou Blitz" Podcasts. Radio/Media Appearances:  WWL AM/FM Radio in New Orleans (Mike Detillier/Bobby Hebert),  KCOH AM 1230 in Houston (Ralph Cooper), WBOK AM in New Orleans (Reggie Flood/Ro Brown), and 103.7FM "The Game" (Jordy Hultberg/Clint Domingue), College Kickoff Unlimited (Emory Hunt), Jeff Lightsly Show, and Offscript TV on YouTube. Television Appearance: Fox26 in Houston on The Isiah Carey Factor, College Kickoff Unlimited (Emory Hunt). My Notable Interviews:  Byron Allen (Media Mogul), Deion Sanders (Jackson State University, Head Coach), Tomekia Reed (Jackson State Lady Tigers Basketball Coach), Taylor Rooks (NBA Reporter), Swin Cash (VP of Basketball - New Orlean Pelicans), Demario and Tamala Davis (NFL Player), Jerry Rice (Hall of Famer), Doug Williams (HBCU & NFL Legend), Emmitt Smith (Hall of Famer), James "Shack" Harris (HBCU & NFL Legend), Cris Carter (Hall of Famer), Solomon Wilcots (SiriusXM NFL Host), Steve Wyche (NFL Network), Jim Trotter (NFL Network), Travis Williams (Founder of HBCU All-Stars, LLC), Malcolm Jenkins (NFL Player), Cam Jordan (NFL), Demario Davis (NFL), Allan Houston (NBA All-Star), Drew Brees (Former NFL QB), Deuce McAllister (Former NFL RB), Willie Roaf (NFL Hall of Fame), Jim Everett (Former NFL Player), Quinn Early (Former NFL Player), Dr. Reef (NFL Players' Trainer Specialist), Nataria Holloway (VP of the NFL). I am building a new team of journalists, podcasters, videographers, and interns.  For media requests, interviews, or interest in joining HBCU Legends, please contact me at kmosley@hbcusi.com. Follow me: