Shannon Sharpe to ‘Step Aside’ From ESPN Amid Sexual Assault Lawsuit
Former NFL player and current ESPN personality Shannon Sharpe has announced he is taking a leave of absence from the cable network, in the wake of a new lawsuit that alleges he sexually assaulted a Nevada woman.
“My statement is found here and this is the truth. The relationship in question was 100% consensual,” Sharpe said in a statement posted to social media on Thursday. “At this juncture I am electing to step aside temporarily from my ESPN duties. 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. I sincerely appreciate the overwhelming and ongoing support I have received from my family, fans, friends and colleagues.”
In a separate statement, an ESPN spokesperson told TVLine, “This is a serious situation, and we agree with Shannon’s decision to step away.”
Earlier this month, Sharpe was named as a defendant in a civil lawsuit filed by a Jane Doe, who alleged that Sharpe committed assault, sexual assault, battery and sexual battery against her on two separate occasions in Las Vegas, once in October 2024 and another in January of this year. She seeks at least $50 million in compensatory and punitive damages.
In a video posted to X the following day, Sharpe denied the allegations, calling the lawsuit a “shakedown.” However, after the release of text messages allegedly exchanged between Sharpe and the plaintiff, Sharpe’s lawyer Lanny Davis revealed that Sharpe had offered the plaintiff “tens of millions of dollars” to settle the case before her lawsuit was filed.
Since 2023, Sharpe has been a staple of ESPN’s First Take sports talk program, regularly appearing on Mondays and Tuesdays. He has also contributed to CBS Sports and Fox Sports 1. Prior to his media career, he played as a tight end in the NFL for 13 years, winning Super Bowls in 1998, 1999 and 2001.
Now I don’t believe her. How could this happen twice‼️ If it happened in Oct. 2024, why return to get the same treatment a second time.
When you rape me or whatever she wants to call it, DO YOU THINK IM GOING BACK TO GET RAPPED A SECOND TIME. She had this one planned! I don’t believe her.
Why didn’t you report the first alleged assault?
Just say you don’t know anything about sexual assault or predator behavior, so you don’t have to yell it in all caps. Good heavens, the victim-blaming never ends.
Offering up that kind of hush money only makes you look GUILTY. Ick!! Yet another beast of a man acting beastly assuming he can buy his way out of it. Cancel Shannon S.