Shannon Sharpe has officially parted ways with ESPN, just weeks after settling a $50 million rape and sexual assault lawsuit — a move that also ended what was reported to be a lucrative $100 million deal with the network.
A legal battle and a sudden departure
According to PEOPLE, Sharpe had stepped away from ESPN in April 2025 after the lawsuit was filed, and his departure was made official in July. The network has not issued a public statement about his exit.
Sharpe’s legal troubles began when an unnamed woman filed a civil suit accusing him of sexual assault during what she described as a “rocky consensual relationship.”
The lawsuit included claims of violence, non-consensual encounters, and threats, including an alleged audio clip released by her attorney Tony Buzbee.
Sharpe denied all allegations, calling the lawsuit a “shakedown” and stating that the relationship was consensual and included role-playing and fantasy elements.
In July, Buzbee confirmed that both parties had reached a settlement and the matter was closed.
Sharpe responds to ESPN’s decision
Speaking on the July 30 episode of his Nightcap podcast, Sharpe acknowledged the end of his time at ESPN.
“They did what they felt they needed to do, I’m at peace with that,” he said.
However, Sharpe expressed disappointment about the timing of the announcement, which came just days before his brother Sterling Sharpe’s induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
“I really wanted this week to be about him and my family,” he said. “Unfortunately, that didn’t happen.”
Sharpe joined ESPN in 2023 and became a regular voice on First Take, offering NFL and NBA commentary alongside Stephen A. Smith and Molly Qerim. He had signed a multi-year extension in June 2024 before the lawsuit altered those plans.
Outside of ESPN, Sharpe continues to host his popular podcasts Club Shay Shay and Nightcap, which have a combined six million subscribers.
The future of his next network partnership remains unclear.