ESPN has officially parted ways with Shannon Sharpe, according to sources who spoke with The Athletic. The decision comes just two weeks after Sharpe settled a high-profile lawsuit filed by a former girlfriend who accused the Pro Football Hall of Famer of rape.
The plaintiff, identified in court documents as "Jane Doe," sought $50 million in damages, alleging that Sharpe caused her “pain and suffering, psychological and emotional distress, mental anguish, embarrassment, and humiliation.”
Sharpe adamantly denied the allegations, maintaining that their relationship was entirely consensual. In a video posted to social media earlier this year, he addressed the claims directly, calling the lawsuit “a shakedown” and emphasizing his intention to defend his name and reputation.
The case concluded in mid-July when Jane Doe’s attorney, Tony Buzbee, announced that both parties had reached a confidential resolution. “After protracted and respectful negotiations, I’m pleased to announce that we have reached a mutually agreed-upon resolution,” Buzbee said in a statement. “All matters have now been addressed satisfactorily, and the matter is closed. The lawsuit will thus be dismissed with prejudice.”
Neither Sharpe nor ESPN has publicly commented on whether the settlement directly influenced the end of his tenure at the network.
Source: The Athletic
