Shannon Sharpe reportedly exits ESPN after settling sexual assault lawsuit

Shannon Sharpe has exited ESPN just weeks after settling a sexual assault and battery lawsuit, The Athletic reported Wednesday. The former NFL star and media personality had been a prominent contributor on ESPN’s morning sports debate show 'First Take', where his commentary and charisma drew significant attention.

Sharpe has parted ways with ESPN less than two weeks after settling a lawsuit filed by a former romantic partner. The 57-year-old NFL Hall of Famer was accused of misconduct stemming from an alleged incident that led to a legal battle earlier this year.

At the time the lawsuit was filed, Sharpe publicly dismissed it as a 'shakedown' in an Instagram video, accusing the plaintiff’s attorney, Tony Buzbee, of 'targeting Black men'. Days later, Sharpe issued a statement on social media characterising his relationship with the woman as '100% consensual'.


Despite denying the allegations, he announced he would be 'electing to step aside temporarily' from his role at ESPN. Sharpe had not appeared on the network since April, and his recent departure comes shortly after the lawsuit was privately settled, marking a dramatic turn in the Hall of Famer’s broadcasting career.

"I will be devoting this time to my family, and responding and dealing with these false and disruptive allegations set against me," he said in that April 24 statement. He also noted at the time that he intended to return to the network at the start of the NFL preseason.

In a civil lawsuit filed in a Las Vegas district court, a woman identified as 'Jane Doe' accused former NFL All-Pro Sharpe of manipulation and control throughout a nearly two-year relationship that began in 2023, when she was 20.

Initially consensual, the relationship allegedly turned abusive, with the complaint claiming that Sharpe, 56, 'violently sexually assaulted and anally raped' the plaintiff in two separate incidents - in October 2024 and January 2025 - in Las Vegas. According to the filing, Sharpe 'blatantly ignored her pleas for him to stop', leading to the civil case, which was recently settled out of court.

At the time of the settlement, Buzbee, said, "Both sides acknowledge a long-term consensual and tumultuous relationship. After protracted and respectful negotiations, I’m pleased to announce that we have reached a mutually agreed upon resolution. All matters have now been addressed satisfactorily, and the matter is closed. The lawsuit will thus be dismissed with prejudice."

According to The Athletic, the terms of the settlement were not disclosed while the original lawsuit had sought more than $50 million in compensatory and punitive damages.

Sharpe, a Pro Football Hall of Famer inducted in 2011, was drafted by the Denver Broncos in 1990 and retired after the 2003 season. At the time of his retirement, he held the NFL records for most receptions, receiving yards, and touchdowns by a tight end. Sharpe won two Super Bowl titles with the Denver Broncos and added a third during his stint with the Baltimore Ravens.