Shannon Sharpe speaks out after ESPN exit amid brother Sterling's career milestone

Shannon Sharpe addresses ESPN exit, wishing the news had waited until after his brother’s Hall of Fame induction.

Shannon Sharpe has spoken publicly following his reported departure from ESPN, sharing his thoughts on the timing of the news and its impact on a personal family milestone.

On his Nightcap podcast, the former NFL star said he is “at peace” with ESPN’s decision but expressed regret that the announcement came just days before his brother Sterling Sharpe’s induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

“I found out this information a little earlier in the week,” Sharpe explained, “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 said, ‘This coming out will overshadow everything he’s worked his entire life for.’ And, unfortunately, it didn’t happen that way.”

Sharpe joined ESPN in 2023 after leaving FS1’s Undisputed, later appearing regularly on First Take. He also hosts Club Shay Shay, a long-running podcast, and Nightcap, where he addressed the exit directly.

He said he “profusely” apologised to his brother for the timing, which he believes drew attention away from Sterling’s historic recognition. “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’s exit follows the settlement of a $50 million civil lawsuit filed in Nevada earlier this year, which included accusations of assault and misconduct, allegations he has denied through legal counsel.

Despite the circumstances, Sharpe reflected positively on his time at ESPN, saying, “They gave me an opportunity to bring my audience that saw me really just grow.”