Kristina Roberts
Shannon Sharpe, a well-known sports analyst and former football star in the United States, will no longer be working with ESPN. This news was confirmed by The Athletic after reports came out saying that ESPN has officially ended its relationship with Sharpe. This decision was made shortly after Sharpe reached a settlement in a serious lawsuit involving claims of sexual assault.
The lawsuit was filed in April 2025 by a woman who had previously been in a romantic relationship with Sharpe. She accused him of sexual assault and physical abuse. This incident caused a lot of attention and concern, especially since Sharpe had only recently signed a multi-year contract with ESPN in 2024. Even though he was expected to be an important face on the network, he hasn’t appeared on air since the case was made public.
Back in April, when the lawsuit first became known, Sharpe quickly responded. He posted a video on Instagram calling the lawsuit a “shakedown,” which means he believed the woman was making false claims to get money from him. In the video, Sharpe mentioned the woman’s lawyer, Tony Buzbee, and accused him of targeting Black men.
Later that same week, Sharpe also released a written statement on his social media. In it, he said the relationship between him and the woman had been “100% consensual.” This means he believed everything that happened between them was agreed upon by both people. He also added that he had chosen to step away from ESPN temporarily while he focused on the situation. “I will be devoting this time to my family, and responding and dealing with these false and disruptive allegations set against me,” he wrote on April 24. At that time, Sharpe had hoped to return to his job at ESPN once the NFL preseason started.
The NFL preseason usually begins in late summer, and the first game of the season is held in Canton, Ohio, during the Hall of Fame celebrations. However, even though preseason has now begun, Sharpe is still not back at ESPN, and reports say he won’t be returning at all.
The woman who filed the lawsuit used the name “Jane Doe” to keep her identity private. According to The Athletic, she asked for $50 million in the case. This money was meant to cover what she described as pain and suffering, emotional stress, and embarrassment she experienced from the incident.
On July 18, the woman’s lawyer Tony Buzbee shared on the social media site X (formerly known as Twitter) that the lawsuit had been dismissed. He also mentioned that the two parties had reached an agreement, but no one shared the details of the settlement. “After protracted and respectful negotiations, I’m pleased to announce that we have reached a mutually agreed upon resolution,” Buzbee wrote. “All matters have now been addressed satisfactorily, and the matter is closed. The lawsuit will thus be dismissed with prejudice.”
When a lawsuit is dismissed “with prejudice,” it means the case cannot be filed again in the same court. So, the woman cannot bring the same accusations against Sharpe again in the Las Vegas court where she first filed the complaint. Also, no criminal charges were filed against Sharpe, meaning the police did not pursue the case as a crime.
Shannon Sharpe, who is now 57 years old, had a long and successful football career before becoming a sports media personality. He won three Super Bowl titles during his playing years—two with the Denver Broncos and one with the Baltimore Ravens. He was also chosen eight times to play in the Pro Bowl, which is a special game for the best players in the NFL. Because of his achievements, he was honored by being inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
After retiring from football, Sharpe moved into television. He first became widely known for his debates with Skip Bayless on FS1’s show “Undisputed.” After leaving FS1, he joined ESPN, where he worked alongside Stephen A. Smith on the show “First Take.” Many fans enjoyed their heated sports discussions, and Sharpe had become a familiar face on ESPN. However, his time at the network has now come to an end due to the lawsuit and its aftermath.
Even though Sharpe is no longer with ESPN, he hasn’t disappeared from the public eye. He continues to work in the podcast world, including on a show called “Nightcap,” which he co-hosts with Chad “Ochocinco” Johnson, another former NFL player. Podcasting has become a big part of Sharpe’s media career, and according to reports, he may be close to signing a massive podcast deal worth up to $100 million. This report was first mentioned by Front Office Sports, even before the lawsuit became public news.
While many people still support Sharpe and believe in his innocence, others think ESPN made the right choice to move on without him, especially considering how sensitive the situation is. These types of allegations, even if they are settled privately, can affect a person’s career and public image in serious ways.
At the end of the day, both Sharpe and the woman involved have said that the matter is now closed. No more details are expected to be shared about what happened behind the scenes. As of now, Sharpe will not return to ESPN, but his career may still continue in other directions—especially in the fast-growing world of podcasts and digital media.
This situation shows how public figures, especially in the US, are closely watched and how serious matters like this can have a major impact on their jobs and lives. It also reminds us that even people who seem very successful and popular can go through very difficult personal times. The story of Shannon Sharpe is still developing, and many fans will be watching to see what he does next.
