If you’re a fan of “The Joe Rogan Experience,” you’ve probably at least noticed Jamie Vernon, aka Young Jamie, the podcast producer who also plays the youthful sidekick role.
But you probably don’t know much about his journey, and you also likely don’t know much about his net worth or how much Rogan pays him. Fans estimate that Vernon makes just over six figures, although it’s hard to tell how much of that comes directly from Rogan given all the revenue streams the show now draws.
Vernon’s unique journey to become a part of Rogan’s crew began in 2013, when he was hired on as an assistant to help co-host and producer Brian Redban.
What ended up happening was something else entirely. The show’s explosive popularity was triggered when Rogan and company won the Best Comedy Podcast of 2012 award, and Redban was clearly outmatched when it came to handling the increased workload as Rogan began to do more podcasts.
Vernon was the one who earned Rogan’s trust, and actually had some relevant training for the job. Born and raised in Ohio, he actually went to school at Full Sail University in Winter Park Florida, a school that offers degrees in audio and video, design and computer animation.
What Vernon brings to the show is a quick wit, lightning-fast typing skills, and, of course, the ability to reach a somewhat younger demographic, although “Young” Jamie will soon round the bend and turn the dreaded 4-0.
Still, the contrast between the two men is instantly obvious. While Rogan often displays a typical interest in muscle cars, Young Jamie shows an obsessive interest in sneakers, especially Yeezy’s the brand that was created as a result of a collaboration between Kanye West and Adidas.
Video games are another one of his strong interests. He’s listed as a partner for Twitch, the live video streaming service, and his favorite games include Call of Duty, Fortnite, and Planet Unknown’s Battlegrounds.
Not surprisingly, Young Jamie has been churning out merch on the show as well. He now has an apparel brand, and he’s gotten a lot of attention for his offbeat shirts and hoodies emblazoned with logos like Powerful, YNG JME and Round Earth Shill.
He’s also an avid Ohio State fan and a golfer, and during his salad days he played in a band that once opened for another touring band, the not-so-memorable Mudvayne.
As for his future earnings, that remains an open question. Rogan is currently embroiled in an ongoing controversy with Spotify, which gave him a huge deal in 2020. The controversy has backed Spotify into a corner to some extent, and it remains to be seen whether the streaming service will have to make a choice between the protesters and the incendiary Rogan.
The other open question related to that will be how much it affects Young Jamie’s earning power, but given that he’s single and not linked to anyone, celebrity or otherwise, he’ll have the flexibility and freedom to do just about whatever he wants. And probably increase his earning power in the process.
