Shannon Sharpe Stepping Away from ESPN Amid Sexual Assault Lawsuit

Funky Friday

Shannon Sharpe announced Thursday that he’ll be temporarily stepping away from ESPN just days after it was revealed he is being sued for sexual assault.

TMZ reported Monday that an unnamed woman was suing Sharpe for $50 million. In the lawsuit, she accused Sharpe of assault on multiple occasions between late 2024 and early 2025. She’s being represented by Tony Buzbee, the same lawyer who represented the women involved in the lawsuits against NFL quarterback Deshaun Watson.

In response to the allegations, Sharpe released a series of text messages between him and the woman to make the case that the relationship was consensual. A day later, he posted a video on social media claiming the lawsuit was a “shakedown” and that Buzbee was simply trying to get money out of another celebrity.

Since the initial report of the lawsuit, Buzbee has released audio from an alleged phone call — in which Sharpe threatens to choke the woman — and more text messages.

Sharpe appears on ESPN’s First Take multiple times a week. In a statement posted on social media, he said:

My statement is found here and this is the truth. The relationship in question was 100% consensual.

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.

Shannon Sharpe

According to The Athletic’s Andrew Marchand, ESPN released its own statement supporting Sharpe’s decision, saying that it was a “serious situation.

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