*NFL Hall of Famer and ESPN personality Shannon Sharpe has announced a temporary departure from his broadcasting duties as he faces a civil lawsuit alleging multiple instances of sexual assault.
The lawsuit, filed in Nevada state court, seeks $50 million in damages and accuses Sharpe of both physical abuse and the unauthorized recording of sexual encounters. The legal action comes from a woman identified as Jane Doe, who claims she began a “rocky consensual relationship” with Sharpe in 2023 after meeting him at a Los Angeles gym when she was 19. According to court filings, the most serious incidents allegedly took place in Las Vegas in October 2024, during which the plaintiff accuses Sharpe of violent sexual assault and rape. Another alleged assault is said to have occurred in January 2025, after which the woman claims she fled the state.
Sharpe, 56, strongly denies the allegations. In a statement released earlier this week, his attorney, Lanny J. Davi,s characterized the lawsuit as an opportunistic attempt to extort money.
“This lawsuit, filed by Gabriella Zuniga and orchestrated by her attorney Tony Buzbee, is a blatant and cynical attempt to shake down Mr. Sharpe for millions of dollars,” Davis said. “It is filled with lies, distortions, and misrepresentations — and it will not succeed.”
Sharpe’s legal team maintains the relationship was entirely consensual and is preparing a defense against what they claim is a meritless lawsuit. Buzbee is known for representing multiple women in high-profile cases, including those against music mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs.
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Sharpe has vowed to fight the allegations in court. In a video statement, he addressed the lawsuit, saying it is “being orchestrated by Tony Buzbee… Tony Buzbee targets Black men.”
On Thursday, Sharpe announced he will step away from ESPN until the NFL preseason begins in late July.
“I will be devoting this time to my family, and responding and dealing with these false and disruptive allegations set against me,” he said. “I sincerely appreciate the overwhelming and ongoing support I have received from my family, fans, friends and colleagues.”
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MORE NEWS ON EURWEB.COM: Shannon Sharpe Denies Sexual Assault Allegations; Claims ‘Blackmail Attempt’ | Video
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