Shannon Sharpe is dealing with a slew of startling allegations, together with sexual assault and battery, from a lady often known as Jane Doe in a brand new lawsuit. The accusations got here seven months after Sharpe, 56, unintentionally live-streamed a sexually specific incident. After the lawsuit was filed, the ESPN commentator introduced he is not going to be seen on the community’s First Take in the intervening time, prompting viewers to imagine he was fired.
Beneath, 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 ultimately 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?
No, ESPN has not fired Sharpe. 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 through X on April 24. “I might 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 plans “to return to ESPN firstly of the NFL preseason.”
The community commented on Sharpe’s hiatus in a press release, which learn, “This can be a critical scenario, and we agree with Shannon’s resolution to step away,” in line with CNN.
Is Shannon Sharpe Married?
No, Sharpe will not be at present 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, in line with The U.S. Solar.
Does Shannon Sharpe Have Youngsters?
Sure, Sharpe is a father to his three youngsters, Kiari, Kayla and Kaley.
What Are the Allegations In opposition to 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 alleges, “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 simply 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 “seems ahead to vindication by way of due course of and a judgment based mostly on the information and the regulation,” in line with CNN.
In case you or anybody 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 assist in addition to native assets to help in therapeutic, recovering and extra.
