Shannon Sharpe, the Hall of Fame tight end and ESPN personality, has been accused of sexual assault, battery, and emotional distress in a $50 million lawsuit filed by a woman identified only as “Jane Doe.” The lawsuit, which was filed on April 20, 2025, alleges that Sharpe engaged in a two-year “rocky consensual relationship” with the woman, during which he allegedly sexually assaulted her multiple times.
The woman claims to have met Sharpe at a Los Angeles gym in 2023, when she was 22 years old. She states that Sharpe made several sexual advances before they began a relationship. According to the lawsuit, Sharpe requested the woman to sign a non-disclosure agreement before they began meeting up, but the request was dropped when the woman objected.
The allegations outlined in the lawsuit include sexual assault, threats, and battery. The woman claims that Sharpe recorded their sexual encounters without her consent. Additionally, she accuses Sharpe of threatening her life after an incident in which she arrived late at his home. She also claims that Sharpe pressured her into non-consensual sexual acts on multiple occasions.
One of the most disturbing accusations involves an alleged incident in October 2024, in which Sharpe allegedly forced the woman into a car and into her apartment, where he forced her to perform oral sex and then raped her. The lawsuit also mentions a January 2025 incident where Sharpe allegedly sexually assaulted her while refusing to wear a condom.
Sharpe has strongly denied the allegations through his lawyer, Lanny J. Davis, who posted a statement on Sharpe’s social media account. The statement asserts that the relationship was consensual and rejects the claims of sexual assault, including the accusation of rape. Sharpe’s lawyer described the lawsuit as a “gross lie” and suggested that it was an attempt at blackmail. Sharpe’s legal team is reportedly preparing to file a counterclaim against the plaintiff, claiming that the accusations are false.
The woman is represented by Tony Buzbee, the same attorney who previously represented multiple women in their legal battles against Deshaun Watson, the Cleveland Browns quarterback.
Sharpe, who had a successful career in the NFL, winning three Super Bowls and earning multiple All-Pro and Pro Bowl honors, now faces a highly publicized legal battle. He is also the host of a popular podcast, “Club Shay Shay,” and continues to work with ESPN following his retirement from football.
Update: Sharpe is preparing to defend himself vigorously against these allegations in court.
