Shannon Sharpe steps away from ESPN amid $50M lawsuit

Shannon Sharpe temporarily steps away from ESPN following a $50M sexual assault lawsuit, vows to return in July.

Shannon Sharpe announced he’s stepping away from ESPN temporarily following a $50M sexual assault lawsuit filed against him.

The lawsuit, filed in Clark County, Nevada, accuses Sharpe of rape, physical abuse, and emotional distress during an alleged relationship that began in 2023. The plaintiff, listed as Jane Doe, claims Sharpe assaulted her on two occasions—once in October 2024 and again in January 2025.

In a statement shared on Thursday, Sharpe denied the allegations and called them “false and disruptive.” He emphasized that he will use this time to focus on his family and respond to the accusations. “I sincerely appreciate the overwhelming and ongoing support I have received from my family, fans, friends, and colleagues,” Sharpe added.

Sharpe plans to return to ESPN in time for the NFL preseason, with the first game scheduled for July 31, 2025.

Sharpe’s legal team previously stated via X (formerly Twitter) that the relationship was consensual and described the lawsuit as a “blatant and cynical attempt to shake down” the former NFL star.

A three-time Super Bowl champion and Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee, Sharpe retired from the NFL in 2003 with then-record stats for a tight end. Since retirement, he’s become a prominent media personality, joining ESPN in 2023 after departing FS1’s Undisputed.