Mike Epps Signs Odell Beckham Jr.s’ Comments About Contract

Despite the criticism, it looks like Odell Beckham Jr. isn’t the only celebrity who believes making a $100 million contract last a lifetime would be a challenge. Recently, the NFL star became a trending topic after he made controversial comments about finances on “The Pivot” podcast. Shortly after, fans and other professional athletes let the former New York Giants player have it online. However, one person stepped up to his defense: comedian Mike Epps.

Speaking with TMZ, Epps, a stand-up comedian and actor, defended Beckham, saying it’s “real easy” to plow through a large amount of money when you’re a public figure. “Sometimes, you can’t measure lifestyle with money,” he said.

Continuing, he explained that when one has significant wealth, a particular lifestyle may come with it, making it even easier for a person to burn through it all before they even realize it. “So, you gotta make sure you control the lifestyle, and then your money will be controlled with it.”

Epps said that certain “interests” come with a hefty price tag, such as looking good and having nice clothes. “The things that you’re interested in can cost you,” he said. However, he acknowledged that people are allowed to spend their money as they see fit, but advised them to keep their flossing to a minimum.

Epps’ defense of Beckham came days after the NFL star stirred up controversy online by saying during an appearance on “The Pivot” podcast that a $100 million contract is not what most people believe it is. “I always explain this to people,” he 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 added.

Beckham went on, explaining that from that $12 million figure, he uses some funds to buy vehicles and take care of his family. “If you’re spending $4 million a year … that’s really $40 million over five years … Can you make that last forever?” he asked.

Beckham’s comments, of course, caught the attention of many, including Super Bowl champion Shannon Sharpe. During his “Nightcap” podcast with Chad ‘Ochocinco’ Johnson, Sharpe reacted strongly to the viral clip.

“OBJ, I’m going to be honest with you, bro. If you get 60 million dollars liquid and that can’t last you a lifetime, you’ve got a problem,” he said. “Do you really need 10 houses? Do you really need 15 cars? Do you need to buy everybody in your family a house that costs a million or two million dollars?”

As he went on, Sharpe acknowledged that people with money enjoy taking care of their family members and those who supported them along the way. However, he questioned whether some of his financial decisions were wise.

“First of all, if you buy somebody in your family a house that costs a million or two, first of all, they can’t afford the upkeep on it,” he said. “You buy somebody a Mercedes, a Ferrari, a high-end car…if something happens to it, who are they calling?”

Sharpe concluded, implying that OBJ’s assertion about spending $4 million a year was absurd. According to him, if a person is spending that amount of money per year and it’s not on a business, “You out of your d-mn mind.”

On December 2, 2025, OBJ directly addressed the controversy with a post on X, formerly Twitter, suggesting the public missed the point of what he was trying to say.

“Boy u can’t say nothin in this world nowadays,” he wrote. “that’s why I been in my own lane my own world n put the way.”

He continued, “People love to take Shxt [sic] completely outta context to rationalize a statement in their own head that makes sense to them… what a world.”

Social media users weren’t moved by his post, though, with one writing, “Babe, we watched [the] full interview. Nobody interpreted anything wrong. Those were your words verbatim.”

Another said, “If you don’t understand why you got backlash from what you said, then you are completely out of touch with reality.”

A third user was more blunt, writing, “[Dude], shut your wasteful a-s up.”