Shannon Sharpe’s time at ESPN has officially ended. The network has cut ties with the Hall of Fame tight end, according to The Athletic’s Andrew Marchand, just days after he settled a $50 million civil lawsuit alleging sexual assault.
Sharpe, 57, joined First Take in late 2023 after leaving FS1’s Undisputed. But in April, he was named in a Nevada civil suit accusing him of sexual assault, battery, and misconduct in incidents allegedly occurring in late 2024 and early 2025.
The accuser, listed as Jane Doe, claimed Sharpe assaulted her multiple times. Sharpe denied all wrongdoing.
His attorney, Lanny J. Davis, stated, “The evidence paints a clear picture: this was a consensual, adult relationship that included role-playing, sexual language, and fantasy scenarios.”
Amid the public fallout, Sharpe stepped away from ESPN duties.
“At this juncture I am electing to step aside temporarily,” he said in April. “I will be devoting this time to my family, and responding and dealing with these false and disruptive allegations.”
ESPN supported the move at the time, calling it “a serious situation.”
Sharpe continues to host the Club Shay Shay podcast and Nightcap with Chad Ochocinco, but his future in mainstream sports broadcasting remains uncertain.
Shannon Sharpe out at ESPN after settling $50 million lawsuit with rape accuser https://t.co/knGsA6bwBM pic.twitter.com/fZlm7j1qvC
— New York Post (@nypost) July 30, 2025
