Shannon Sharpe opens up about ESPN firing — and why he wanted news to wait even longer
After The Athletic's Andrew Marchand broke the news earlier in the day, the Pro Football Hall of Famer addressed the news on his 'Nightcap' podcast.
Sharpe said he had known that he was officially done at ESPN for a little bit, but he was hoping the news wouldn't be made public until his brother, Sterling Sharpe, was officially inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame this weekend.
That, however, did not happen.
'I found out this information a little earlier in the week, and really the only thing that I really asked is, 'Guys, could we wait until Monday? My brother's going into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, I really want it to be about him and I want it to be about my family,' Sharpe said. 'I said, 'This coming out will overshadow everything he's worked his entire life for.' And, unfortunately, it didn't happen that way.'
Sharpe said he 'profusely' apologized to his brother about it.
The former Super Bowl champion wideout is done at the network after he settled a $50 million lawsuit where he was accused of rape.
Sharpe had been named in a civil lawsuit filed in Nevada state court this spring that alleged he committed assault, sexual assault, sexual battery and battery.
Shannon Sharpe addressed his ESPN firing.
He denied 'all allegations of coercion or misconduct,' through his legal team, and he stepped away from his duties at ESPN in April.
'I really enjoyed my time at ESPN, they gave me an opportunity to bring my audience that saw me really just grow,' Sharpe said on his podcast. 'They did what they felt they needed to do, I'm at peace with that. I just wish this thing could've waited until Monday because I hate the fact that I am overshadowing my brother. First two brothers in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, and this is what the headline is going to be for the next couple of days.'
Sharpe then used his podcast platform to apologize directly to his brother one more time.
Shannon Sharpe speaks onstage during the 2024 RenderATL Tech Conference at AmericasMart Atlanta on June 14, 2024 in Atlanta.
Getty Images
The 57-year-old joined ESPN after leaving FS1's 'Undisputed' in 2023, appearing on the morning show 'First Take.'
In addition to 'Nightcap,' he hosts the 'Club Shay Shay' podcast.
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