ESPN has cut ties with Shannon Sharpe after the NFL legend settled a $50 million rape lawsuit with an ex-girlfriend.
The popular podcaster and frequent guest star on ESPN’s First Take has been away from the network since late April, when he was first sued by the woman identified as his former girlfriend. Sharpe told fans at the time he expected to be back on ESPN by training camp, but that never materialized.
In settling the lawsuit, Sharpe’s accuser retracted her rape accusation against the former Denver Broncos tight end, who has maintained his innocence.
Asked by Daily Mail if the network’s decision was impacted by the lawsuit or the settlement, an ESPN spokesperson declined to comment. Stephen A. Smith, ESPN’s biggest star and a First Take co-host, previously stated his belief in Sharpe’s innocence.
The Athletic’s Andrew Marchand was the first to report the network’s decision, which has since been confirmed by Daily Mail.
Details of Sharpe’s settlement with his accuser have not been revealed publicly.
ESPN has cut ties with Shannon Sharpe after the NFL legend settled a $50 million rape lawsuit
‘After protracted and respectful negotiations, I’m pleased to announce that we have reached a mutually agreed upon resolution,’ read post by Texas-based attorney Tony Buzbee earlier this month. ‘All matters have now been addressed satisfactorily, and the matter is closed. The lawsuit will thus be dismissed with prejudice.’
A spokesperson for Sharpe’s legal team declined comment to Daily Mail, explaining that Buzbee’s statement would be the final word on the matter.
Filed in Nevada in April, the $50 million lawsuit accused sports media personality of raping his now-ex girlfriend in 2024 and 2025 while the two were in a relationship.
The Pro Football Hall of Famer was first accused of raping the Plaintiff, identified as Jane Doe, in October of 2024. He allegedly raped her again in January after arriving at her home with promises of Christmas and birthday gifts, according to Doe’s original complaint.
After filing the lawsuit, Buzbee produced audio of Sharpe seemingly threatening the Plaintiff.
‘… I’m gonna f***ing choke the s*** out of you when I see you,’ the 56-year-old Sharpe is heard telling the woman.
Sharpe’s attorney at the time claimed his client was speaking ‘in the heat of the moment’ and the violent threat was ‘not intended.’
Furthermore, Buzbee alleged that Sharpe offered Doe a ‘hefty sum’ to settle the case in February, only for the plaintiff to decline the payoff.
Sharpe denied the accusations after the lawsuit was filed, but has otherwise refrained from comment.
Now, according to Buzbee’s statement, both Doe and Sharpe ‘acknowledge a long-term consensual and tumultuous relationship.’
Shannon Sharpe and Big Boi attend ESPN First Take at Clark Atlanta University on November 8
Although he continued with his two popular podcasts, Sharpe stepped away from his part-time duties with ESPN in April.
‘At this juncture I am electing to step aside temporarily from my ESPN duties,’ Sharpe said in a statement. ‘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.’
A popular podcast host and ESPN personality, Sharpe was rumored to be in line for a massive new deal before he was accused of raping his ex-girlfriend in April.
Front Office Sports reported that Sharpe received multiple offers as his current media deal with Colin Cowherd’s platform, The Volume, is set to expire. Furthermore, sources told FSO Sharpe’s next deal is expected to exceed $100 million, which happens to be the reported amount Stephen A. Smith got in his recent contract negotiations with ESPN.
That might come as a surprise, but Sharpe does have a massive audience.
A recent interview with comedian Katt Williamson hit nearly 90 million views and Club Shay Shay currently boasts around 4 million subscribers, making it among the most popular podcasts in sports and entertainment.
However, it’s unclear how much Sharpe’s value as a podcaster was affected by his regular daytime appearances on ESPN or if his departure at the network could impact other media offers.
