Shannon Sharpe, the former NFL star who took a hiatus as a commentator on ESPN‘s “First Take” after facing allegations of sexual assault by an ex-girlfriend, will not be returning to the sports network. ESPN confirmed this decision after Sharpe settled the lawsuit earlier this month.
According to sources familiar with the matter, Sharpe is not expected to resume his duties at ESPN following the break he announced in April 2025 to address his legal issues. When contacted by Variety, ESPN declined to provide further comments on the situation.
Representatives for Sharpe have not yet responded to requests for comments on this development. The news of ESPN severing ties with Sharpe was first reported by The Athletic, a publication by The New York Times.
The lawsuit against Sharpe, filed by a woman from Nevada, alleged that the former NFL player raped and threatened her during their two-year relationship. In a statement released in April, Sharpe mentioned that he was temporarily stepping aside from his role at ESPN, emphasizing that the relationship in question was consensual and denying the allegations made against him. His attorney, Lanny J. Davis, also refuted the claims in the lawsuit, describing it as a manipulative attempt to extort money from Sharpe.
After engaging in lengthy negotiations, lawyers for Sharpe and the woman reached a settlement agreement, as announced by her attorney, Tony Buzbee, on social media. The terms of the settlement remain undisclosed, and the complaint has been dismissed with prejudice.
Following Sharpe’s decision to take a break from “First Take,” ESPN acknowledged the seriousness of the situation and supported his choice to step away from the show. Sharpe, 57, had joined ESPN as a contributor to “First Take” in 2023 and had signed a new contract in 2024 to increase his involvement in the program. In addition to his appearances on “First Take,” Sharpe also hosts a podcast titled “Club Shay Shay.”
Throughout his NFL career, Sharpe primarily played for the Denver Broncos. He gained further recognition as a sportscaster by co-hosting “Undisputed” on Fox Sports with Skip Bayless. Despite the legal challenges he faced, Sharpe’s contributions to the sports media industry have left a lasting impact on viewers and fans alike.
