BREAKING: ESPN Drops Shannon Sharpe Days After Settling Explosive Lawsuit With Ex-Girlfriend, Report Says
Shannon Sharpe, the Pro Football Hall of Famer and prominent sports commentator, will not return to ESPN, ending his tenure on the network’s flagship debate show, First Take. This decision comes less than two weeks after Sharpe reached a settlement in a civil lawsuit filed by a former girlfriend who accused him of sexual assault—allegations Sharpe has consistently denied.
Timeline of Events
Sharpe, 57, last appeared on ESPN in late April, shortly after the lawsuit was filed in Nevada. At the time, he publicly described the accusations as “false and disruptive,” expressing confidence that he would return to the network in time for the NFL training camps. However, ESPN has since opted not to bring him back, according to sources cited by The Athletic. The network has not made an official announcement and declined to comment on the matter.
The lawsuit, brought by a woman identified as Jane Doe, sought $50 million in damages for what she described as “pain and suffering, psychological and emotional distress, mental anguish, embarrassment, and humiliation.” Sharpe maintained that their relationship was consensual and characterized the lawsuit as a “shakedown.”
Settlement and Dismissal
The case was dismissed with prejudice on July 18 after a private settlement was reached. The plaintiff’s attorney, Tony Buzbee, announced the resolution on social media, stating, “All matters have now been addressed satisfactorily, and the matter is closed.” A dismissal with prejudice means the case cannot be refiled. No criminal charges were brought against Sharpe.
Sharpe’s Career and Future
A three-time Super Bowl champion and four-time All-Pro, Sharpe retired from the NFL in 2003 as one of the most accomplished tight ends in league history. He transitioned successfully into broadcasting, first as an analyst for CBS and later as co-host of Fox Sports 1’s Undisputed alongside Skip Bayless.
After leaving FS1 in 2023, Sharpe joined ESPN’s First Take as a regular guest alongside Stephen A. Smith. He also hosts two popular podcasts, Club Shay Shay and Nightcap with Ocho, the latter with former NFL receiver Chad “Ochocinco” Johnson. Both podcasts are currently distributed by The Volume, though that agreement is set to expire at the end of August.
Prior to the lawsuit, Sharpe was reportedly in negotiations for a major podcasting deal that could have been worth up to $100 million, according to Front Office Sports and The Athletic. The current status of those talks is unknown.
ESPN’s Response
ESPN has not issued a formal statement regarding Sharpe’s departure. Sources told The Athletic that the network quietly decided to move on after the lawsuit was settled and dismissed. Sharpe has not commented publicly on his future plans.
Sharpe’s exit marks the end of a brief but high-profile stint at ESPN. His next steps in sports media and podcasting remain to be seen as the industry and his fans watch for his next move.
