"If you can't live off $3 million you got issues": Shannon Sharpe serves reality check to Odell Beckham Jr. following $50k game-worn cleats sale

Former NFL star Shannon Sharpe has again shared his reaction to athletes’ money management issues amid Odell Beckham Jr.’s alleged sale of match-worn cleats. Rumors have been making rounds on social media that the former Miami Dolphins wide receiver sold his game-worn cleats for $50,000.

The rumors started circulating following his comments on the inherent financial difficulties in signing huge contracts as an athlete. Beckham commented on lacking the skills to manage big deals during his appearance on The Pivot sometime in October. He said:

“I’ve always explained this to people, bro: you give somebody a five-year, $100 million contract—what is it really? It’s five years for 60. You’re getting taxed. Do the math; that’s 12 a year that you have to spend, use, save, invest, flaunt, whatever.”

He continued:

“I’mma buy a car. I’mma give my momma a house. Everything costs money… but we weren’t taught about no financial literacy … We weren’t taught this skill.”

However, clips from the podcast recently went viral on social media, generating a lot of reactions from fans, journalists, and other athletes. In light of the new rumor about his sale of game-worn cleats, Sharpe weighed in on the discussion during his Nightcap Podcast with Chad “Ochocinco” Johnson. The Denver Broncos legend said (9:08-9:42):

“If you bring home $60 million liquid theoretically, you put that in a fund, you gonna get 5 to 8%. There’ll be some years you get 10, 12%. So even if you’re just getting 5% on $60 million, that’s $3 million a year, man. If you can’t live off $3 million a year, you got issues.”

Mike Epps supports Odell Beckham Jr. amid backlash

Not every reaction has been critical of Odell Beckham Jr</a>'s comment. Among those who showed support for the star wideout’s perspective was comedian Mike Epps. Epps told TMZ that money can be exhausted easily as a public figure, saying:

“Sometimes, you can’t measure lifestyle with money.”

The comedian explained that a peculiar lifestyle and taste usually come with huge earnings, consequently hastening the spending of the money. He then advised:

“So, you gotta make sure you control the lifestyle, and then your money will be controlled with it.”

Odell Beckham Jr.’s last NFL deal was with the Miami Dolphins, reportedly worth $3 million. He mutually terminated it with the franchise in Dec. 2024. He has since been a free agent.