In a shocking turn of events, ESPN has reportedly parted ways with NFL Hall of Famer and media personality Shannon Sharpe. This decision comes less than two weeks after Sharpe settled a lawsuit where his former girlfriend accused him of rape, according to sources cited by The Athletic. Sharpe, a prominent figure in sports media, hasn't appeared on ESPN since the lawsuit was filed in late April.
The lawsuit, filed by a woman referred to as “Jane Doe,” sought $50 million in damages for alleged pain, suffering, and emotional distress. Sharpe vehemently denied the allegations from the outset, calling the case a “shakedown.” He maintained that their relationship was consensual.
Sharpe, 57, has had a successful media career since retiring from the NFL. He gained recognition as an NFL studio analyst and later as a sports talk host on FS1, where he co-hosted “Undisputed” with Skip Bayless. Following his departure from FS1 in 2023, Sharpe joined ESPN's “First Take” as a regular sparring partner for Stephen A. Smith.
Sharpe also hosts popular podcasts, “Club Shay Shay” and “Nightcap,” the latter with former wide receiver Chad Ochocinco. These podcasts are currently distributed by The Volume, with the agreement set to expire at the end of August. Prior to the lawsuit's emergence, Sharpe was reportedly close to securing a lucrative podcast deal potentially worth $100 million.
The woman's attorney, Tony Buzbee, announced the dismissal of the lawsuit on X (formerly Twitter) on July 18th, but details of the settlement remain undisclosed. The exact reasons behind ESPN's decision to sever ties with Sharpe remain unclear, with the network declining to comment. This development marks a significant shift in Sharpe's career and raises questions about the future of his media ventures.
What's Next for Shannon Sharpe?
While his future with ESPN is over, Sharpe's podcasting career continues. Will he find a new major network deal? Could this controversy impact his future opportunities?