Odell Beckham Jr. Responds To Comments About The Financial Reality Of A $100M NFL Contract – AfroTech
Free agent Odell Beckham Jr. is speaking out after comments he made about managing a five-year, $100 million NFL contract ignited conversation online.
The wide-ranging discussion began in October during an episode of “The Pivot Podcast,” where Beckham outlined why a contract of that size may not last as long as it appears once expenses are taken into account.
The wide receiver, who was drafted No. 12 overall by the New York Giants in 2014, went on to play for the Cleveland Browns and Las Angeles Rams. Beckham last played for the Miami Dolphins before he became a free agent in 2024. According to Spotrac, his total career earnings sit at $102 million.
His podcast remarks resurfaced this week and drew reactions from fans, commentators, and former players.
On Tuesday, Dec. 2, Beckham posted a response to the attention on X. “Boy u can’t say nothin in this world nowadays, that’s why I been in my own lane my own world n put the way,” he wrote. “People love to take Shxt completely outta context to rationalize a statement in their own head that makes sense to them… what a world.”
Beckham’s comments were addressed by former NFL star and analyst Shannon Sharpe during a recent episode of “Nightcap,” Complex reports. According to the outlet, Sharpe questioned how a player who has earned more than $100 million over his career could struggle to make it last. “OBJ, I’m going to be honest with you, bro, if you get $60 million and that can’t last you a lifetime, you’ve got a problem,” Sharpe said.
He noted that athletes often have multiple homes, luxury cars, and other high-cost items, and that long-term responsibility for these expenses frequently falls on the player, per Complex.
“Even spending $4 million a year without running a business would be out of your d-mn mind,” Sharpe added.
Beckham’s original explanation was more detailed than many may have realized. On “The Pivot Podcast,” he said that a $100 million contract does not reflect the actual take-home pay after taxes, agent fees, and other costs, which can reduce earnings to roughly $60 million over five years.
“I always explain this to people,” Beckham said. “You give somebody a five-year, $100 million contract — that’s five years for 60. We’re getting taxed. That’s 12 million a year you have to spend, use, save, invest, flaunt, whatever.”
He also broke down the numbers: “If you’re spending $4 million a year … that’s really $40 million over five years … Can you make that last forever?”
Beckham further explained that expenses such as buying a home, maintaining a car, and supporting family can add up over time. Sharpe responded saying that many of these costs are discretionary and a person can choose not to spend money in that way.
