Shannon Sharpe out at ESPN after settlement in $50 million rape lawsuit
The network has decided to cut ties with Sharpe, according to a report from The Athletic on Wednesday, July 30. Sharpe last appeared on ESPN in April, stepping away after the lawsuit was initially filed. But he publicly denied the allegations, calling it a "shakedown," and maintained his relationship with the accuser was "100% consensual."
Sharpe said at the time he planned to return to ESPN's airwaves when NFL training camps began ahead of the 2025 season.
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The settlement in Sharpe's case came to light on July 18 when Tony Buzbee, the attorney for the woman identified as "Jane Doe" in the court filing, announced the sides had reached a resolution and the lawsuit would be dismissed. No details of the agreement were released.
The woman accused Sharpe of sexually assaulting her twice, in October 2024 and January 2025, after previously engaging in the intentional infliction of emotional distress. She said Sharpe became violent over the course of their relationship and recorded their sexual encounters without her consent. Sharpe never faced criminal charges in the matter.
"On April 20, 2025, The Buzbee Law Firm filed a complaint in Nevada making several allegations against Shannon Sharpe on behalf of our client," Buzbee said in a statement on X. "Both sides acknowledge a long-term consensual and tumultuous relationship. After protracted and respectful negotiations, I'm pleased to announce that we have reached a mutually agreed upon resolution. All matters have now been addressed satisfactorily, and the matter is closed. The lawsuit will thus be dismissed with prejudice."
Sharpe, 57, initially joined ESPN's "First Take" in 2023 for twice-weekly appearances alongside Stephen A. Smith after a long run debating Skip Bayless on FS1's "Undisputed." He retired from the NFL in May 2004 after a 14-year career in which he won three Super Bowls and became the first tight end with more than 10,000 career receiving yards.
Sharpe also appears on the podcasts 'Club Shay Shay' and 'Nightcap' with former wide receiver Chad Ochocinco. They are produced and distributed by The Volume, a sports media company founded by FS1 star Colin Cowherd.
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