Shannon Sharpe Reportedly Out At Espn After Settlement Of Sexual Assault Suit

Shannon Sharpe will not return to ESPN, ending nan Pro Football Hall of Famer’s little but high-profile tally arsenic a commentator connected nan network’s First Take sports-talk program. The determination comes little than 2 weeks aft Sharpe settled a suit revenge by a erstwhile woman who accused him of rape, allegations he forcefully denied.

The Athletic was first to report nan move connected Wednesday, citing sources acquainted pinch nan matter. ESPN declined to remark publicly, and nary general announcement has been made.

Sharpe, 57, had not appeared connected ESPN since precocious April, soon aft nan suit was revenge successful Nevada. At nan time, he called nan accusations “false and disruptive” and said he expected to return successful clip for nan commencement of NFL training camps. Instead, ESPN softly opted to move on.

The lawsuit, revenge by a female identified arsenic Jane Doe, sought $50m successful damages for what she described arsenic “pain and suffering, psychological and affectional distress, intelligence anguish, embarrassment and humiliation”. Sharpe characterized nan claims arsenic a “shakedown”, maintaining that their intersexual narration had been consensual.

The suit was dismissed pinch prejudice connected 18 July pursuing a backstage settlement. The woman’s attorney, Tony Buzbee, announced nan solution in a station connected X, writing, “All matters person now been addressed satisfactorily, and nan matter is closed.” A dismissal pinch prejudice intends nan aforesaid declare cannot beryllium refiled successful court. No criminal charges were revenge against Sharpe.

A three-time Super Bowl champion and four-time All-Pro, Sharpe retired successful 2003 arsenic nan NFL’s all-time leader among tight ends successful receptions, receiving yards and touchdowns. Since leaving football, he has go 1 of nan astir recognizable personalities successful sports media, first arsenic an expert for CBS, past arsenic co-host of Fox Sports 1’s Undisputed alongside Skip Bayless.

After departing FS1 successful 2023, Sharpe joined First Take arsenic a twice-weekly sparring partner for Stephen A Smith. He besides hosts 2 celebrated podcasts, Club Shay Shay and Nightcap pinch Ocho, nan second alongside erstwhile NFL receiver Chad Ochocinco. Both shows are presently distributed by The Volume, though that statement is group to expire astatine nan extremity of August.

According to Front Office Sports and nan Athletic, Sharpe was successful talks for a awesome podcasting woody – perchance worthy up to $100m – earlier nan suit became public. The position of those negotiations remains unclear.