Pro Football Hall of Famer and podcast star Shannon Sharpe settles sexual assault and battery lawsuit
Former NFL star Shannon Sharpe has reached a settlement with the anonymous woman who filed a lawsuit against the famed tight end, accusing him of multiple instances of assault, sexual assault, battery and sexual battery, according to a statement from the accuser's attorney on Friday.
'Both sides acknowledge a long-term consensual and tumultuous relationship,' attorney Tony Buzbee said. '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.'
A spokesperson for Sharpe confirmed the details of Buzbee's statement and said that the three-time Super Bowl winner would not be commenting further on the matter.
The terms of the settlement were not disclosed. The lawsuit originally sought compensatory and punitive damages of more than $50 million.
Sharpe's legal representatives previously described the lawsuit, filed in April, as an attempt to 'shake down' the popular podcaster for millions of dollars and said he 'categorically denies all allegations of coercion or misconduct.'
Sharpe has also disputed the claims.
'To my family, friends, supporters and colleagues, I want to speak to you directly and from the heart,' Sharpe said in a video released on X in April. 'This is a shakedown. I'm going to be open, transparent and defend myself, because this isn't right.'
In the suit filed in a Las Vegas district court, 'Jane Doe' accused former NFL All-Pro of 'manipulating and controlling' the plaintiff during a nearly two-year period that started in 2023 as a consensual relationship when the woman was 20 years old.
The civil complaint alleged Sharpe, 56, 'violently sexually assaulted and anally raped Plaintiff,' in October 2024 and again in January of this year in Las Vegas, Nevada, 'blatantly ignoring her requests for him to stop.'
The suit stated: 'After many months of manipulating and controlling Plaintiff — a woman more than thirty years younger than he — and repeatedly threatening to brutally choke and violently slap her, Sharpe refused to accept the answer no and raped Plaintiff, despite her sobbing and repeated screams of 'no.''
When asked if Jane Doe had contacted police during or after the alleged assaults, Buzbee said he could not comment.
Sharpe's attorney, Lanny J. Davis, said the woman is attempting to blackmail his client and that the pair's relationship was consensual and 'sexual in nature — and, in many cases, initiated by her with specific and graphic requests.'
The Pro Football Hall of Famer was inducted as part of the Class of 2011. He was drafted by the Denver Broncos in 1990 and retired following the 2003 season as the NFL's all-time leader in catches, yards and touchdowns by a tight end.
Sharpe won two Super Bowls with Denver and then another while a member of the Baltimore Ravens.
After his playing career Sharpe went on to a successful television career and hosts the popular 'Club Shay Shay' podcast.
In the wake of the lawsuit, Sharpe announced he would temporarily take time away from his role on ESPN, where he is one of the faces of the morning sports debate show 'First Take.'
'I will be devoting this 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,' Sharpe said at the time.
Following Sharpe's announcement, ESPN said in a statement, 'This is a serious situation, and we agree with Shannon's decision to step away.'
ESPN declined to comment on Friday's settlement and Sharpe's potential return to the network.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
USA Today
23 minutes ago
- USA Today
Joey Bosa says he's hung out with new Bills teammates more than any other in career
For the first time in his professional career, five-time Pro Bowl pass rusher Joey Bosa is playing for a new team. And that's not the only new first of his career. "I hung out more with teammates in Buffalo in the 6 weeks I was here than probably my entire career," the 10-year NFL veteran defensive end said to the press. Bosa joined the Bills on a one-year deal. One in which he's hoping to buck the trends of his past injury history and compete for a championship with a playoff contender. His comments on hanging out with his teammates read as consistent with what's known about the Bills roster, that they spend much of their time together off the field, forging a strong bond that translates to the locker room and onto the field in game play as well. The adjustment to his new team as well as to Western New York has been a good one for the 30-year-old and his family. "It's nice, it gets repetitive every year the same thing over and over again, I mean I loved my time with the Chargers and I wouldn't trade it for anything, but I think it was just getting a little redundant, especially with my injuries the last few years, I needed a fresh start, and new scenery, so it's been a really pleasant surprise, getting to know Buffalo and Orchard Park, it's been beautiful," Bosa shared. "I have a yard, I have space to live and my dog can run around and we've got families of geese in the backyard that we've been following, my fiancée loves it, the fans are amazing unless you're at dinner and they're screaming mid dinner, I can't remember the song (probably shout) but it was quite the experience." Buffalo won't need him to play every snap, as they have defensive end depth to keep his workload manageable so as to maximise his opportunities to remain healthy and impact games. They are hoping he can form a dynamic threat across from edge rusher Greg Rousseau, and with A.J. Epenesa and Landon Jackson in their rotation. The group provides the Bills with tremendous defensive length against opponents (Jackson - 33 1/4" arms, Epenesa - 34 1/2" arms, Walker - 34 1/4" arms, Bosa - 33 3/8" arms). "I'm gonna try to be the player that I've always been," he noted. "Like I mentioned, stay healthy, I think I can be dominant still. I'm still only just 30. I'm not washed just yet. I'm getting there, but I got a little bit longer." The veteran pass rusher reached the playoffs three times in nine years with the Chargers, including two wild-card round exits. Buffalo, meanwhile, has made the playoffs in seven of the last eight years and is a Super Bowl contender. "Let's hope I don't mess that up now," Bosa added. "Hopefully, I can be a tool to help push it over that edge to get to the place that obviously everybody here has their eyes set on. It's fun coming to an organization that has been there and done it. They all have a really common goal, and we all know what that is. Every team has that same goal, but not every team has the same chance of actually achieving that goal. So yeah, it's exciting. I just want to do anything I can to help the team win, and hopefully we just continue the success." I mean, he's a dog. He's everything I've seen watching him, like when he was on the Chargers, you know? So, it's fun to be out there with a with a guy like that," Rousseau said about his new teammate after Monday's practice. "It's a blessing. Also, just a really cool dude. Off the field, we have conversations about random stuff every day. When asked what stands out about Bosa, he also noted his work ethic and attitude. 'He's consistent, you know what I'm saying? The way he just comes to work, has a good attitude," Rousseau added. "Obviously, his experience, you know, so I mean, we're really happy to have him." Bosa is embracing the fresh start and the high expectations that come with joining a championship contender in Buffalo, and is confident in what he has to offer. "I think I still have a lot left to give playing-wise, not just wisdom-wise," he said. "As long as I stay healthy like we're talked about, which I'm going to do everything in my power to do that and be as helpful as I can to this team, I think I can go out there and have a great year."
New York Post
23 minutes ago
- New York Post
Aland Etienne ID'd as security guard killed by Shane Tamura in NYC shooting: ‘A New York hero'
The security guard shot dead by crazed gunman Shane Tamura has been identified. Aland Etienne was among four innocent victims killed by Tamura as he entered 345 Park Ave., apparently headed to NFL headquarters, said Manny Pastreich, president of the 32BJ SEIU union. The guard had been fatally shot as he crouched behind a desk to take cover as Tamura sprayed the building's lobby with bullets, police said. Advertisement NYPD probe the shooting at 345 Park Avenue. Robert Miller 'This tragedy speaks to the sacrifice of security officers who risk their lives every day to keep New Yorkers and our buildings safe,' Pastreich said in a statement. Shane Tamura seen with a weapon before he shot and killed four people in Midtown on Monday, July 28, 2025. Obtained by the NY Post Advertisement 'Every time a security officer puts on their uniform, they put their lives on the line. Their contributions to our city are essential, though often unappreciated. Aland Etienne is a New York hero. We will remember him as such.' The union represents roughly 90,000 workers, including security guards.
USA Today
23 minutes ago
- USA Today
5 stunning fantasy football trophies to order for your 2025 league
Unless you're the Super Bowl champs, nothing compares to draft day for your fantasy football team. For many, a trip to Buffalo Wild Wings or a friend's basement-turned draft "war room" is as intense as the actual NFL Draft itself. While that's fun, the feeling of watching your hand-picked team (or auto-drafted, but please no) will your funkily-named squad to a championship is almost euphoric. Sadly, it's been too long since I've had that feeling as my wife has won each of the past two seasons. But not this year! For those champions, money or bragging rights is typically the reward. However, why not take it a step further? On Amazon, there's a ton of fantasy football trophy options, which is just about the coolest thing ever. Below, we found five of the coolest and wackiest trophies available for the upcoming season: Shop fantasy football trophies on Amazon 1. Fantasy Football Trophy for true NFL fans 2. Fantasy Football Trophy in gold and silver 3. Fantasy Football Trophy for dynasty leagues 4. Fantasy Football Trophy for GOAT leagues 5. Fantasy Football trophy for baller leagues
