Shannon Sharpe confronted startling allegations, together with sexual assault and battery, from a lady referred to as Jane Doe in a lawsuit that he settled. The accusations got here seven months after Sharpe by chance live-streamed a sexually specific incident. After the lawsuit was filed, the ESPN commentator introduced he wouldn’t be seen on the community’s First Take, prompting viewers to imagine he was fired. So, is it true — was Sharpe fired by ESPN?
Under, discover out whether or not or not Sharpe will return to ESPN and study concerning the lawsuit towards him.
Who Is Shannon Sharpe?
Sharpe is a former NFL tight finish, finest identified for his time enjoying with the Denver Broncos from 1990 by way of 1999 and once more from 2002 to 2003. He’s nonetheless considered one of many league’s biggest tight ends of all time and is part of the Professional Soccer Corridor of Fame.
Following his retirement from the sphere, Sharpe turned a sports activities commentator for CBS then finally joined ESPN for First Take. Along with community gigs, Sharpe has additionally hosted podcasts, amongst them being “Membership Shay Shay” and “Nightcap.
Was Shannon Sharpe Fired by ESPN?
Apparently, Sharpe and ESPN have parted methods, a number of shops reported on July 30, 2025. He acknowledged that he was stepping away from his job at First Take to handle the sexual assault lawsuit towards him in April 2025.
“At this juncture, I’m electing to step apart briefly from my ESPN duties,” Sharpe wrote in a press release shared by way of X on April 24. “I shall be devoting this time to my household, and responding and coping with these false and disruptive allegations set towards me.”
Sharpe then added that he deliberate “to return to ESPN initially of the NFL preseason.” On the time, the community commented on Sharpe’s hiatus in a press release, which learn, “This can be a severe scenario, and we agree with Shannon’s resolution to step away,” based on CNN.
Is Shannon Sharpe Married?
No, Sharpe is not at the moment married, and he’s presumably by no means been married. It’s additionally unclear if he’s in a relationship on the time of publication. His former girlfriend Michelle Bundy Evans accused him of rape and sexual assault in a $4 million defamation swimsuit, based on The U.S. Solar.
Does Shannon Sharpe Have Children?
Sure, Sharpe is a father to his three kids, Kiari, Kayla and Kaley.
What Had been the Allegations Towards Shannon Sharpe?
Within the 2025 lawsuit towards Sharpe, Jane Doe alleged that he “violently sexually assaulted and anally raped Plaintiff … “blatantly ignoring her requests for him to cease” in October 2024 after which once more in January 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada, per CNN.
The lawsuit alleged, “After many months of manipulating and controlling Plaintiff — a lady greater than thirty years youthful than he — and repeatedly threatening to brutally choke and violently slap her, Sharpe refused to just accept the reply ‘no’ and raped Plaintiff, regardless of her sobbing and repeated screams of ‘no.’”
Sharpe has vehemently denied the accusations, and his legal professional, Lanny J. Davis, insisted that their relationship was “sexual in nature — and, in lots of instances, initiated by her with particular and graphic requests.” The lawyer added that Sharpe “appears to be like ahead to vindication by way of due course of and a judgment primarily based on the information and the legislation,” based on CNN.
In mid-July 2025, Sharpe settled the $50 million settlement towards Jane Doe.
Should you or anybody you recognize has been sexually abused, name the Nationwide Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673). A educated employees member will present confidential, judgment-free help in addition to native sources to help in therapeutic, recovering and extra.
