Shannon Sharpe, a high-profile commentator whose brash style made waves on ESPN’s First Take, has now reportedly been let go by the network — a quiet but telling end to his tenure following a sexual assault lawsuit that had lingered in the background for months.
Sharpe, a former NFL Hall of Famer turned television personality, had been absent from ESPN since late April, when a woman filed a civil suit alleging that he raped her multiple times during what she described as an “abusive” but consensual relationship.
The suit sought $50 million in damages and immediately cast a shadow over Sharpe’s broadcasting future.
Though Sharpe forcefully denied the allegations, the legal drama quickly intensified. Both parties released a flurry of text messages and voicemails in an apparent effort to control the narrative.
Still, only a few weeks later, Sharpe stepped away from ESPN, where he had been a prominent voice since his high-profile move from Fox Sports in September 2023.
Now, as The Athletic’s Andrew Marchand reports, Sharpe is officially out. According to the report, his exit comes just under two weeks after reaching a confidential settlement with the woman’s legal team, led by prominent attorney Tony Buzbee. No terms were disclosed, and ESPN has declined to comment publicly on the matter.
Sharpe’s fall from one of sports media’s biggest stages is a stunning turn for a man once seen as a marquee hire.
After a contentious split from Fox Sports, where he co-hosted Undisputed alongside Skip Bayless, Sharpe was brought on as a major draw for ESPN’s First Take, appearing several times a week and often going toe-to-toe with host Stephen A. Smith.
But his time at ESPN ultimately lasted less than two years — a remarkably short stint for a figure of his stature. The situation also raises uncomfortable questions for ESPN, which has faced scrutiny in the past over its handling of talent controversies.
Sharpe had previously stated that he would return to the network by the start of NFL training camp. That return, it now appears, will not happen.
While ESPN has remained silent, the optics of Sharpe’s sudden departure so soon after a legal settlement are hard to ignore. For now, the network moves on — and so does Sharpe, under a cloud of controversy that may yet follow him into whatever comes next.
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