Shannon Sharpe has got the internet fired up after comparing Beyoncé to Taylor Swift.
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Shannon Sharpes Shares His Perspective
On Monday, January 29, a video clip from Sharpe’s latest ‘Nightcap’ podcast episode with Chad “Ochocinco” Johnson was released via YouTube. The 19-minute clip opened with Sharpe explaining that many football fans will be rooting for the San Francisco 49ers at the upcoming Super Bowl LVIII.
Sharpe explained that he believes this because he feels many fans are “tired” of seeing Taylor Swift. To note, the 49ers will face off against the Kansas City Chiefs in the upcoming game. Swift has been publicly dating Chiefs’ tight end Travis Kelce since 2023, per The Shade Room.
Additionally, Sharpe shared that Taylor Swift’s presence at NFL games brings in a “different demographic” and “different set of eyeballs.” This makes her a multi-million dollar asset to the league.
As the conversation continued, Sharpe asked Johnson to share another celebrity who could match Swift’s value. Johnson replied with, “Beyoncé.”
However, Sharpe disagreed.
“Beyoncé — Not like this,” he said. “These eyes — Ocho, these eight — 15-year-old eyeballs —Ocho! I love Beyoncé [but] Beyoncé ain’t moving the needle like this chick, Ocho! No!… She’s the closest thing to moving the needle like Michael Jackson that we’ve seen, this is it!” Sharpe explained.
Watch his explanation below.
Social Media Weighs In With Mixed Reactions
Social media users quickly entered The Shade Room’s comment section to weigh in on Sharpe’s stance. Some users agreed with Sharpe.
Instagram user @chriswilliamsii wrote.
“I love Beyonce ever since I was a kid, but Taylor and Beyonce had a tour at the same time and Taylor outsold Beyoncè outsold Beyonce even though Beyoncè’s tour was sold out everywhere. The truth of the matter is a white America Woman is America’s preference even if she isn’t the most talented!”
While Instagram user @queen_drinab added.
“We hate it 😫but he isn’t wrong”
Instagram user @skyboujee wrote.
“Taylor made them over 300 million in a short time. Ngl I wouldn’t even test out any other needles”
Meanwhile, others wanted Sharpe to put some respect on Beyoncé’s name.
Instagram user @chenemonique wrote.
“Comparing Taylor swift to Beyonce should be a crime because whattttt”
While Instagram user @arben_j11 added.
“I promise u if Beyoncé was boo’d up with a player and came to all the games I promise u the camera would be all over it, if not more”
Instagram user @yourfavewho wrote.
“Beyonce mind her business and still get disrespected 😂”
Stephen A. Smith Previously Caught Heat For Comparing Beyoncé To Another Celeb
As The Shade Room previously reported, fellow broadcaster Stephen A. Smith went viral last January after comparing Beyoncé to Rihanna. At the time, Rihanna was set to headline the Super Bowl LVII halftime show.
When asked if he was excited about the singer’s performance, Smith showed love to Beyoncé while downplaying Rih.
“I don’t want to say that I’m not excited — she’s fantastic. That’s not where I’m going with this. Ladies and gentlemen, she’s a lot of things. She’s spectacular, actually — And congratulations on new momma-hood… There’s one thing she’s not! She ain’t Beyoncé,” he said at the time.
A few days later, Smith apologized to Rihanna publicly.
RELATED: WATCH: Stephen A. Smith Apologizes To Rihanna For Comments About Her Upcoming Super Bowl Halftime Performance
