Shannon Sharpe, the former NFL star and podcast host, is vehemently denying all allegations of sexual assault, harassment, and battery in a $50 million civil lawsuit filed against him.
The lawsuit, filed by a woman identified as Jane Doe, alleges a two-year relationship that began in 2023 when the plaintiff was 19 years old. The woman claims their relationship, which started at a local gym, became abusive after a leaked Instagram Live video in September 2024 showed Sharpe involved in a sexual encounter with another woman. She accuses Sharpe of pursuing her relentlessly and subjecting her to forced sexual encounters. Additionally, the plaintiff alleges that Sharpe recorded their encounters without her knowledge and shared the footage with others.
Shannon Sharpe’s Response to Lawsuit
In response to the lawsuit, Sharpe’s attorney, Lanny J. Davis, issued a statement on Monday, categorically denying the accusations and calling the lawsuit a “blatant and cynical attempt to shake down Mr. Sharpe for millions of dollars.” The statement asserts that the allegations are filled with lies and misrepresentations. Sharpe’s legal team also provided explicit text messages between Sharpe and the plaintiff to demonstrate that their relationship was consensual, despite the accusations.
The plaintiff, however, claims that there were non-consensual incidents within their relationship, which she now seeks to expose through the lawsuit. Sharpe denies all claims of coercion, particularly the accusation of rape, which he calls a “gross lie.” He has vowed to fight these accusations in court.
Audio Leaked of Alleged Threatening Call
On Tuesday, new evidence surfaced in the form of audio recordings. The New York Post reported that the audio, allegedly from a call between Sharpe and the plaintiff, captured Sharpe threatening to “f–king choke the s–t out of” Jane Doe. In the conversation, Sharpe reportedly attempted to coerce the woman into allowing him to carry out the act. However, the plaintiff repeatedly expressed that she did not want this, stating, “I don’t want to be, don’t manipulate me,” to which Sharpe allegedly responded, “I don’t think you have a choice in the matter.”
Attorney’s Statement and Text Messages
Sharpe’s legal team argues that the relationship was a consensual, adult relationship that involved role-playing and fantasy scenarios explicitly requested by the plaintiff. They provided text messages from the plaintiff asking for extreme sexual requests, such as being choked with a dog collar and expressing a desire for Sharpe to “crave it.”
Blackmail Allegations and Text Message Evidence
Sharpe’s defense further claims that the plaintiff attempted to blackmail him, presenting edited footage of one of their sexual encounters and recharacterizing it as non-consensual. According to Sharpe’s attorney, the plaintiff has refused to provide an unedited version of the recording to his legal team.
The defense also references a text message exchange in which the plaintiff allegedly asked Sharpe for $25,000 per cheek, which Sharpe’s team suggests was an attempt to extort money from him.
Looking Ahead: Sharpe’s Fight for Vindication
Despite the serious nature of the allegations, Sharpe remains confident that the legal process will prove his innocence. His attorney concluded the statement by emphasizing that Sharpe looks forward to “vindication through due process and a judgment based on the facts and the law.”
The legal battle between Sharpe and his accuser is ongoing, and both sides are expected to present further evidence in the coming months.
