Shannon Sharpe was not fired by ESPN immediately after settling a sexual assault lawsuit, despite some reports suggesting otherwise. On July 30, 2025, The Athletic reported that ESPN parted ways with Sharpe less than two weeks after he settled a $50 million civil lawsuit filed by a woman, identified as Jane Doe, who accused him of sexual assault and battery during their nearly two-year relationship. However, ESPN clarified in April 2025 that Sharpe had chosen to “step away” temporarily from his duties on First Take to address the allegations, with the network stating, “This is a serious situation, and we agree with Shannon’s decision to step away.”
The lawsuit, filed in April 2025 in Clark County, Nevada, alleged Sharpe assaulted the woman twice, in October 2024 and January 2025, and engaged in controlling and abusive behavior, including recording sexual encounters without consent. Sharpe denied the allegations, calling the lawsuit a “shakedown” and asserting the relationship was “100% consensual.” The case was settled on July 18, 2025, with the plaintiff’s attorney, Tony Buzbee, announcing a “mutually agreed upon resolution” and the lawsuit’s dismissal with prejudice, meaning it cannot be refiled. No settlement details were disclosed.
Sharpe, a Pro Football Hall of Famer and former NFL tight end, had been a prominent commentator on First Take since joining ESPN in 2023 and signed a multi-year extension in 2024. He last appeared on the network in late April 2025. On his Nightcap podcast on July 30, 2025, Sharpe confirmed ESPN’s decision, expressing regret that the news overshadowed his brother Sterling Sharpe’s upcoming Pro Football Hall of Fame induction.
While some outlets, like Yahoo Sports and FanBuzz, reported Sharpe was “fired,” others, including CNN and Variety, described it as a mutual parting of ways following the settlement. No official statement from ESPN has confirmed the exact nature of the termination. Sharpe continues to host his podcasts Club Shay Shay and Nightcap, and prior to the lawsuit, he was reportedly in talks for a major podcast deal potentially worth $100 million.