Shannon Sharpe, NFL Hall of Famer turned media personality, announced Thursday he is stepping away from ESPN following a $50 million civil lawsuit filed against him in Nevada, accusing him of sexual assault and battery.
Sharpe, who regularly appeared alongside Stephen A. Smith on ESPN’s “First Take”, addressed the allegations publicly, maintaining that the relationship was “100% consensual.” He shared in a statement posted on X:
“At this juncture, I am electing to step aside temporarily from my ESPN duties. I will be devoting my time to my family, and responding and dealing with these false and disruptive allegations set against me. I plan to return to ESPN at the start of the NFL preseason.”
ESPN backed Sharpe’s decision, stating:
“This is a serious situation, and we agree with Shannon’s decision to step away.”
Sharpe, who joined “First Take” in August 2023 after parting ways with Fox Sports’ “Undisputed”, had recently signed a multi-year deal to expand his role at ESPN. Now, he’ll be absent from ESPN airwaves for the foreseeable future.
Details of the Lawsuit
The lawsuit, filed under the alias Jane Doe, alleges that Sharpe sexually assaulted the woman twice, once in October 2024 and again in January 2025. The pair reportedly met at a Los Angeles gym in 2023, when the woman was 19.
According to the lawsuit, the relationship, initially described as “rocky but consensual,” turned violent. The woman claims Sharpe threatened to kill her during one encounter and secretly recorded sexual encounters without her consent. She is seeking $50 million in damages for sexual assault, battery, and emotional distress.
Sharpe denied the accusations in a recent Instagram video, calling the claims a “blatant set-up” and a “shakedown.”
Sharpe’s Recent Controversies
Sharpe also faced controversy in September 2024 when he accidentally livestreamed explicit audio on Instagram to over 3 million followers. Though he initially claimed he was hacked, Sharpe later admitted his mistake, calling the situation “extremely embarrassing.” ESPN did not discipline him over the incident.
Sharpe’s Media Empire Continues to Grow
Beyond ESPN, Sharpe remains a dominant force in digital media. His popular podcast, “Club Shay Shay,” has nearly 4 million subscribers on YouTube, and his newer project, “Nightcap” with Chad “Ochocinco” Johnson, has gained over 1.7 million subscribers since launching in September 2023.
Recently, Front Office Sports reported that Sharpe is closing in on a podcast deal valued at over $100 million, a move that could significantly boost his media footprint even while he steps back from traditional TV.
