Shannon Sharpe is dealing with a slew of startling allegations, together with sexual assault and battery, from a girl referred to as Jane Doe in a brand new lawsuit. The accusations got here seven months after Sharpe, 56, by accident live-streamed a sexually express 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, greatest recognized for his time taking part in with the Denver Broncos from 1990 via 1999 and once more from 2002 to 2003. He’s nonetheless thought to be 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 grew to become 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?
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 quickly from my ESPN duties,” Sharpe wrote in an announcement 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 initially of the NFL preseason.”
The community commented on Sharpe’s hiatus in an announcement, which learn, “This can be a critical scenario, and we agree with Shannon’s resolution to step away,” in keeping 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 go well with, in keeping with The U.S. Solar.
Does Shannon Sharpe Have Youngsters?
Sure, Sharpe is a father to his three kids, 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 girl 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 lawyer, 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 via due course of and a judgment based mostly on the details and the regulation,” in keeping with CNN.
In the event you or anybody you realize has been sexually abused, name the Nationwide Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673). A skilled employees member will present confidential, judgment-free assist in addition to native sources to help in therapeutic, recovering and extra.
