Lawyer Mitchell Schuster issued a statement addressing Evans' story, in which he called her tale "nothing more than old news, fanciful exaggerations, or sometimes blatant misrepresentations of fact." In a sit-down conversation with The Sun published on Friday (May 2), Evans said she first met Sharpe in the Denver Broncos locker room in April 2002 while she was a local sports reporter. She claimed they started dating after they met again at a club, adding that he was pursuing her "pretty heavily." Evans claimed she dated Sharpe for some time and had an open relationship until things went sour in 2010. She said that Sharpe wanted her to break up with a current boyfriend, which she wasn't going to do since the football star was seeing other women as well. "We had an argument about the fact that he had removed one girl from his [Atlanta] house and put another girl in his house and he didn't tell me," she told the paper. "He had asked me to break up with my husband at the time. I was dating Shannon and my husband at the same time [...] It's like wait a minute, you want me to be with just you, but you want to move somebody into your house and not even tell me. So that's what [the argument] stemmed from." She then went into details of the alleged sexual assault she mentioned in her lawsuit, which accuses the broadcaster of libel and defamation. Sharpe was labeled as "controlling," "domineering," and allegedly manhandled Evans, forcing her to have sex. "I told him 'No, because you gave it to somebody else.' I didn't only tell him 'No,' I told him why, and he wouldn't take no for an answer," said Evans. "So he overpowered me, put me to my knees, put his penis in my mouth, and after he got enough of that, he put me on the bed. And you know, this was all a struggle." Evans added that the experience was challenging for her and that she didn't plan on going to the authorities, as she believed law enforcement had issues with corruption. But, she says, Sharpe threatened her to stay quiet and that if she didn't, he would use everyone he knew to "destroy" her. "He just was so worried that it would get out, and I wasn't going to do anything," she continued. "But when he kept calling me at work, and when he kept very aggressively behaving, and I could see it wasn't going to go away, and he said he was going to destroy me, and he was going to kill me, and he told me he was watching me and all that." Sharpe's attorney Mitchell Schuster offered a rebuttal to Evans' claims in a statement. "Ms. Evans became obsessed with Shannon and decided to manufacture a claim against him," it reads in part. "When she could not find a lawyer to pursue her outrageous story, she filed a civil complaint on her own that is completely devoid of merit. "The fact is that Shannon has had no contact with this person for many years and it is our understanding that she is still on probation after serving 3 years in prison for trying to kill her husband so that she could hopefully pursue a relationship with Shannon." Evans' story to the Sun matches what she claimed in a temporary protective order she filed against Sharpe in 2010, in which she alleged that "he forced [Evans] to have sex with him; he repeatedly calls and threatens her life; [Sharpe] places [Evans] under surveillance and calls to say he is watching her." Evans sued Sharpe for defamation and libel in 2023, claiming Sharpe referenced their legal disputes in public, which ruined her reputation. To support her claims, Evans highlighted the alleged sexual assault incident in 2010. Charleston White Says He Believes the Allegations Against Shannon Sharpe Shannon Sharpe Says He's 'Stepping Aside' From ESPN Duties Amid Sexual Assault Lawsuit Shannon Sharpe Lawsuit: How Stephen A. Smith, Cam'ron, Antonio Brown, & More Reacted to Allegations By entering your email, you agree to receive customized marketing messages from us and our advertising partners. You also acknowledge that this site is protected by reCAPTCHA, and that our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply United StatesUnited KingdomAustraliaCanadaComplex ChineseCOMPLEX participates in various affiliate marketing programs which means COMPLEX gets paid commissions on purchases made through our links to retailer sites Our editorial content is not influenced by any commissions we receive In his latest interview with VladTV, Maino shared his perspective on the trending Shannon Sharpe lawsuit The "Hi Hater" hitmaker surprised social media with a comment that he thought Shannon Sharpe was "gay." “I honestly thought he was gay Maino’s comments followed a $50 million lawsuit filed against Sharpe alleging sexual assault by a woman who was 19 at the time of their relationship The woman claims Sharpe used his influence to coerce and manipulate her over the course of their interactions insisting their relationship was fully consensual Maino expressed discomfort with the age gap and the nature of their connection but I wouldn’t want to be in bed with a 19-year-old,” he said He also questioned the emotional maturity of the accuser based on her communication “She didn’t sound like a mature 19-year-old like she was saying things just to get them on record,” he added More: Maino Nabs Fabolous For Some New "MainoVation" To End 2024 Sharpe has since announced a temporary departure from his ESPN duties as the case gains public attention His legal team has dismissed the claims as a baseless attack designed to damage his reputation and extort money Sharpe maintains the relationship was mutual and consensual from the beginning Maino’s remarks have sparked renewed conversations about consent and public assumptions about sexuality in the entertainment and sports industries have highlighted broader debates about power dynamics and moral responsibility in high-profile relationships As Sharpe prepares to defend himself against the accusations the court of public opinion continues to weigh in questions remain about how celebrity culture and personal identity intersect—especially when the spotlight is unforgiving More: Maino's Girlfriend Maggie Says She Suffers From PTSD After Being Shot attorney Lanny Davis has launched an aggressive defense of Hall of Fame tight end and media personality Shannon Sharpe Davis has confirmed that Sharpe has made a very significant financial offer to the plaintiff Davis repeatedly said that Sharpe offered “tens of millions of dollars” to settle the case before the lawsuit was filed Davis (after repeating that it was tens of millions) revised his position to say it was “at least $10 million.” Whether $10 million or some multiple of $10 million Davis was asked to clarify whether Sharpe offered $10 million or in the “tens of millions.” The offer was made in a formal mediation session It’s hard to reconcile the aggressive claim that the allegations are fabricated with the admission that Sharpe offered at least $10 million to settle the case While settlement offers are almost always inadmissible in court Davis and Sharpe have launched a robust defense in the court of public opinion And the jury in the court of public opinion (i.e. anyone paying attention to the case) will have a hard time squaring an insistence of falsification and blackmail with a willingness to pay at least $10 million It also could be a red flag for ESPN and anyone else doing business with Sharpe they’ll want to know why he was willing to pay that much money if A Division of NBCUniversal DISCLAIMER: This site and the products offered are for entertainment purposes only and there is no gambling offered on this site This service is intended for adult audiences No guarantees are made for any specific outcome If you or someone you know has a gambling problem Please enable JS and disable any ad blocker Shannon and her husband have a teenage sonWith Mother’s Day this coming Sunday (this could be the first of multiple reminders) Farms.com is connecting with multiple farm moms to participate in a Q&A about motherhood and to share a piece of advice for new moms The first mom Farms.com is highlighting this year is Shannon Douglass (SD) the current president of the California Farm Bureau together with her husband Kelly raising walnuts “My son is an active and busy teen,” she told Farms.com “His time is divided between show cattle He’s an old soul who is self-motivated and independent but also empathetic to others He gave a girl a cow once because she was sad about selling hers at the fair.” Farms.com: Describe where you were when you found out you were pregnant for the first time Farms.com: Describe the feeling of holding a newborn for the first time SD: I can’t really remember this but there is tremendous weight to being a parent and suddenly being responsible for a small human Farms.com: What’s the best part about being a farm mom SD: I think being able to work with your child and have your family with you so much of the time is pretty awesome – albeit challenging Heath went to farmers markets with me starting as an infant and he’s been working with us since he safely could I think that family time together is a tremendous blessing and not all parents get the same opportunity Farms.com: What’s the hardest part about motherhood SD: I think just trying to do the best you can for your child can be a challenge And there are so many choices to be made – are you picking the best school And working with them as they work through complex problems – watching them navigate something hard can be tough to watch But we must remember that they grow in the learning to navigate that Farms.com: What part of parenthood makes you feel the most vulnerable SD: I think this teenage stage where you are letting them be so much more independent My son will fly by himself now and having your child traveling across the country alone is certainly something that makes me nervous I’m proud of his independence and confidence but I’m still nervous Farms.com: Who is your favorite fictional parent But I would also argue that most of the entertaining TV/streaming these days doesn’t focus on great parents Farms.com: What’s a misconception people have about motherhood SD: I think that much like farming it looks much easier when you are on the outside looking in What are some special memories you have with her SD: My mom is Linda and some of my best memories of my mom are her as a Grandma now and the close bond that she and my son have They have traveled with me for work since my son was an infant They both took their first trip to Washington DC together as part of a trip with me Farms.com: What’s one lesson you learned from your parents you try to teach your kids SD: Responsibility and hard work are some of the key lessons I learned as a kid that I want my son to understand My Dad was always signing me up to do things I didn’t want to do but those uncomfortable situations and the ability to adapt has served me well in life I’m sure my son would argue I do the same to him already SD: Parenthood changes your priorities and in the case of our family But once your child has activities and such you have to slow work down a bit to accommodate but its more than just work keeping us busy Farms.com: What’s one thing all parents have in common no matter where they are in the world SD: All the parents I know share a desire for our kids to have it better than we did and to watch your child achieve their goals Its frankly a very big part of my drive with the work we do at Farm Bureau to preserve farming and ranching in California I very deeply believe that our advocacy work is essential to my son having the chance to farm in this state in the decades to come Farms.com: What’s one piece of advice you have for new moms SD: I tell people to be as present as you can with your kids And know that most of us are figuring out this parenting thing as we go I don’ t regret a single photography session the time truly passes so quickly and the evidence of those amazing stages of development will be worth so much to you Be sure to check Farms.com often this week for more Q&As with moms in the ag community The public continues to discuss his legal woes in the meantime and comedian Mo’Nique is now sharing her two cents especially given that she tried to advise Sharpe last year The three-time Super Bowl winner has been accused of sexual assault by a woman he reportedly met in Los Angeles in 2023 when she was 20 years old Jane Doe is accusing the former Undisputed co-host of raping her twice once in October 2024 and again in January 2025 She also claims the podcaster “threatened to choke and slap” her and engaged in tactics of intimidation and abuse.” The woman has yet to be formally identified but rumors on that front seemed to fuel Mo’Nique’s recent comments I told that [racial slur] Shannon Sharpe [to] leave the white bitches alone It’s more than evident that the Oscar winner isn’t too pleased with the former Denver Bronco’s situation that seemingly alludes to rumors that Jane Doe is a younger white woman the First Take pundit’s dating preference clashes with what Phat Girlz star previously told him During Shannon Sharpe’s chat with the Precious star The actress bluntly told Sharpe that he should take his “old ass” and find someone that will “love” him She also mused that he needed an “old fat girl” who would cook and care for him Take your old ass and get you an old bitch out there that can love you old You trying to hang out with these young bitches it remains to be seen just how this situation will play out for Shannon Sharpe it’s possible that the general public will continue to discuss the lawsuit he’s facing There’s also the possibility that other comedians and actors will proceed to join Mo’Nique in sharing their takes on Sharpe’s supposed dating preferences Erik SwannSocial Links NavigationSenior Content ProducerErik Swann is a Senior Content Producer at CinemaBlend He began working with the publication in 2020 when he was hired as Weekend Editor edit and handle social media responsibilities over the weekend he also writes TV and movie-related news and helps out with editing and social media as needed He graduated from the University of Maryland where he received a degree in Broadcast Journalism After shifting into multi-platform journalism he started working as a freelance writer and editor before joining CB He eats more pizza than the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles you will then be prompted to enter your display name I'm Loving All The Last Of Us Fans' Glowing Reactions To Ellie And Dina's Big Episode And I Think Isabela Merced Explained Their Relationship Perfectly How Bill Belichick's 24-Year-Old Girlfriend Allegedly ‘Forced Her Way In’ To Ben And Casey Affleck’s Dunkin' Super Bowl Ad Watch James Gunn’s Dog Go Crazy Watching Superman’s Krypto (Which Was Totally Based Off Him) Actress and comedian Mo'Nique is having an "I told you so!" moment thanks to Shannon Sharpe's alleged actions the Club Shay Shay interviewee went off on him for not taking her advice on dating The wisdom that we are referring to was given to the sports television personality during their sit-down on his podcast Initially being published in February 2024, the clip went viral following the lawsuit from his first rape accuser Mo'Nique tells Shannon Sharpe that dating women much younger than him in this dating climate is a no go she feels he needs to be with someone who wants to please him and wants nothing more than to offer comfort He need him an old fat gal who could bake good cakes And gon’ have a sip of his cognac to make him feel better about himself when he come home at night Read More: Kendrick Lamar Vs. Drake: Revisiting Rap’s Wildest Night Now a disappointed motherly figure, Mo'Nique is letting him hear it on the public stage. Of course we have to assume she's playing up her anger for the crowd "Yes I told that n**** Shannon Sharpe to leave them white b*tches alone!" Read More: Kanye West’s Ugly History Of Publicly Targeting Kim Kardashian Three people are facing charges following a break-and-enter on Friday. Shortly before 12:00 p.m., April 25, 2025, patrol officers responded to a residence in the 1500 block of Shannon Crescent after it was reported three men entered a home armed with a firearm and unlawfully confined a woman. Upon arrival, officers observed three males fleeing from the residence; they were located by police and arrested. The 21-year-old female victim was not physically injured as a result. Three men, ages 18, 19, and 25, are each charged with Assault with a Weapon (x2), Disguise with Intent, Unlawful Confinement, Robbery, and Break and Enter. (Court Info # 991301501) This incident is not believed to be random. During a recent standup set, she had the crowd hollering as she dragged the Club Shay Shay host for ignoring her dating advice. (new Image()).src='https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=9c70969a-1597-42dd-9980-f3d56f4c8b56&cid=8d6b4040-04c9-4ad0-aa63-766b9eb4e9b9';cnx.cmd.push(function(){cnx({playerId:"9c70969a-1597-42dd-9980-f3d56f4c8b56",mediaId:"fd1e59f8-a0f4-45e5-8833-2e38264b1e08"}).render("b6ea5552562543eb9a9c133d33d140d9");}); Just last year, the comedian sat down on Club Shay Shay and told Shapre exactly what he needed. “Let me tell y’all what Shannon need,” she said on his show. “He need him an old fat gal who could bake good cakes, make some smothered turkey wings, rub his feet at night, and sip a lil’ cognac with him so he feel better about hisself.” Over the weekend, during her comedy set, Mo’Nique made it clear she meant what she said: “Yes, I told that n*gga Shannon Sharpe to leave them white b*tches alone!” It was classic Mo’Nique. Raw, real, and loud like your funniest auntie at the cookout. Baller babes, do think Shannon is going to listen now or keep chasing IG models? Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email. R&B star Sean Kingston is hoping to get back to work, but legal troubles are standing in his way. Kingston... Drake is back in the lab, and it’s giving summer takeover. Him and PARTYNEXTDOOR already been owning the charts with... Rihanna is about to be a mom again. And in true RiRi fashion, she chose the most iconic night in... The latest episode of The Real Housewives of Atlanta brought the drama and Angela Oakley wasn’t having it. After a... © Copyright 2024, Baller Alert Inc. All Rights Reserved In a brief clip making the rounds on social media, the comedian, who appeared on Club Shay Shay in February of last year, mentions Sharpe by name. The exact origin of the clip wasn’t immediately clear, though several reports linked it to a recent stop in South Carolina on the Katt Williams-headlined Heaven on Earth Tour The tour also hit Savannah, Georgia this month and will next touch down in Washington D.C. for a three-night run followed by additional stops in Rhode Island, Florida, Texas, and more. Williams, of course, gave Sharpe a blockbuster podcast episode back in January 2024 yes,” Mo'Nique said in the recently surfaced clip During her own Sharpe conversation last year, Mo'Nique urged the Broncos alum and First Take panelist to not pursue relationships with women decades younger than him. In light of the lawsuit, the allegations of which stem from a woman said to be over 30 years younger than Sharpe, Mo'Nique’s comments on Club Shay Shay have resurfaced, with Mo'Nique herself also acknowledging the interview’s resurgence you don’t need no 36-year-old girl,” the comedian told Sharpe in 2024 Sharpe has maintained that the relationship at the center of the lawsuit was “100 percent consensual.” Amid the suit, Sharpe temporarily stepped aside from his ESPN duties, saying in s statement shared to social media that he planned on returning later this year. Shannon Sharpe Slams Tony Buzbee Lawsuit as ‘Shakedown,' Says Lawyer Is Planning to Share Sex Tape Everyone Mo'Nique Took Shots at in Her Shannon Sharpe Interview United StatesUnited KingdomAustraliaCanadaComplex ChineseCOMPLEX participates in various affiliate marketing programs, which means COMPLEX gets paid commissions on purchases made through our links to retailer sites. Our editorial content is not influenced by any commissions we receive. © Commerce Media Holdings, LLC All Rights Reserved. Join the conversation You can save this article by registering for free here. Or sign-in if you have an account After being hit with a bombshell $50 million US lawsuit Shannon Sharpe is firing back at his accuser Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience Don't have an account? Create Account Article contentThe NFL legend-turned-ESPN commentator released a statement from his legal counsel on X on Monday afternoon in which several X-rated messages and the name of the accuser are revealed the woman – who was only identified as Jane Doe in the court filing – allegedly told Sharpe that she wanted him to “put a dog collar around my neck” and “tie me up and do bad things to me,” while also asking for money to come and visit him said in a statement that the messages “clearly indicate the nature of their relationship was consensual and sexual in nature — and initiated by her with specific and graphic requests.” alleges the former Denver Broncos tight end committed assault sexual battery and engaged in the intentional infliction of emotional distress with a woman more than thirty years younger than him Your noon-hour look at what's happening in Toronto and beyond By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc The next issue of Your Midday Sun will soon be in your inbox Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. The plaintiff alleges Sharpe brutally sexually assaulted her several times at the end of 2024 and the beginning of 2025 after a “rocky consensual relationship” that had lasted nearly two years The outlet reports that Jane Doe accuses Sharpe of threatening to kill her multiple times being “manipulating and controlling” and “repeatedly threatening to brutally choke and violently slap her.” he was yelling at her while there a was a firearm visible in his room,” the complaint states Plaintiff tried sharing her location with friends from her iPhone — just in case he grabbed her by the neck and told her ‘If you ever do that again Sharpe “categorically denies” all of the allegations and is prepared for a legal battle with his lawyer pointing to the alleged texts between the two parties as proof his client did nothing wrong Davis said Sharpe and the accuser had consensual sex until Jan which was the day after she allegedly asked for “$25,000 per cheek,” in a message “I know u miss this big juicy ass…$25k for each cheek,” she allegedly wrote Among the 44 pages of alleged texts that Sharpe’s legal team released one exchange included Doe allegedly texting Sharpe a photo of a women tied up in a compromising position and the message “Tie me up like this & f–k me,” with Sharpe replying “IF* I knew how to I would.” “It’s ok I have handcuffs … we can stick to those for now.” In another alleged exchange between the couple in early 2024 the accuser allegedly wrote “mmm that just got my p**** wet tie me up and do bad things to me,” to which Sharpe replied: “Cuff up.” I want like some hardcore bdsm action tho,” Jane Doe allegedly wrote Doe allegedly texted Sharpe “I wanna be abused daddy” and “i want you to put a dog collar around my neck and choke me with it while ur f***ing me.” The complaint states that Jane Doe is not the woman that Sharpe accidentally shared explicit audio of on an Instagram livestream in September 2024 but that incident led to the plaintiff beginning to end the relationship with the ESPN star because he “cheated” when she thought they were in an exclusive relationship first met at a Los Angeles gym in early 2023 when she was 20 years old The New York Post reached out to Jane Doe’s lawyer regarding the statement from Sharpe’s team but reportedly have yet to respond. transmission or republication strictly prohibited This website uses cookies to personalize your content (including ads), and allows us to analyze our traffic. 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By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy You can manage saved articles in your account Hall of Fame tight end and media personality Shannon Sharpe stepped aside from his two-days-per-week employment with ESPN in the aftermath of the filing of a civil complaint against him alleging sexual assault and other claims While Sharpe didn’t step aside until Thursday his on-air First Take partner knew it was coming on Monday Smith recently explained in an appearance on the BigBoyTV podcast that he sensed right away what the end result would be “Although I was hopeful that it ultimately would not lead to him being off the air, I knew it wasn’t going to go down like that because I know Disney,” Smith said “The court of public opinion is what the Disney’s of the world and others concerned themselves with that has worked against him at this particular moment in time.” Smith nevertheless said he believes Sharpe’s claim that he did nothing wrong “I know the brother tells me he’s innocent,” Smith said and that honest conversations that he’s had with me he wouldn’t have with just anybody and I’m going to make sure that he knows and that everybody knows that no matter how things go down anything that I can do for him as a friend I will do.” Sharpe said he was exiting ESPN to “focus on his family and the frivolous claim filed against him.” Sharpe has nevertheless continued to produce podcast content; last weekend he recorded shows from the draft in Green Bay A Division of NBCUniversal. 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After Shannon Sharpe was rocked by a $50-million US rape lawsuit earlier this week detailing shocking similarities between her own 15-year legal battle with the NFL great and the new accusations totally triggered,” Michele Evans said of Sharpe’s denials How could I not after going through what I’ve been through?” an NFL hall of famer turned popular media personality was accused earlier this week of rape and sexual assault by an ex-girlfriend earlier this week The complaint filed by Jane Doe in Nevada on Sunday makes passing reference to Evans’ own 2023 defamation lawsuit against Sharpe Sharpe and his legal team denied the claims while also naming Jane Doe and identifying her as an OnlyFans model despite the objections of her legal team Evans explained in her interview to Daily Mail — as well as several New York State court filings — that she sees herself as a victim of retaliation by Sharpe. Evans claims she and the Denver Broncos tight end became romantically involved in the early 2000s while she was working as a local TV reporter covering the team, she told the outlet. The relationship came to an end in 2010 when he allegedly raped her orally and vaginally, according to legal filings. She filed a protective order in Georgia and since then, Evans told Daily Mail, Sharpe has sought revenge against her. “He told me that he would use everybody he knows to destroy me,” Evans said. “That’s basically what he did.” Evans ultimately dropped the order in what she described as an attempt to end the doxing she believed was endangering both her and her daughter, the outlet reported. A Sharpe spokesman told the outlet that her “claims are ridiculous and completely without merit.” Evans now sees Sharpe’s latest accuser in a similar predicament. “I am disturbed how Shannon doxed (Doe) because that’s exactly what I said in my lawsuit is that he doxed me and that was one of the reasons why I dropped the protective order that I had against him,” Evans said. “Then releasing the name of her OnlyFans so people could find that and find her Instagram, it was exact thing he was attempting to do with me. That’s why I say it’s triggering.” Evans didn’t filed rape charges, but she did sue Sharpe in 2023, accusing him of making defamatory and erroneous statements about her in the media. Her original complaint, which was filed in New York, shares several disturbing similarities with Doe’s Nevada lawsuit — including specific details of the alleged sexual assaults. Before allegedly raping Doe last year, Sharpe is accused of telling her: “I’m going to punish this a******. I’m going to make it so no man will want you again.” Evans described a similar statement in her 2023 complaint. “Shannon’s coercion escalated as he maneuvered me onto the bed and achieved non-consensual vaginal penetration, all the while proclaiming his intent to ‘Make it so no other man would want me.’” “I want to emphasize the harm he’s causing this woman by doxing her and putting her name out and her OnlyFans out there,” she said. “It can lead to violence by somebody who read what was said about her, so I think that is very, very troubling.” The Daily Mail contacted Sharpe’s legal team for comment on Evans’ accusations. “Michele Evans’ claims are ridiculous and completely without merit,” a spokesman told the outlet. “She could not find a lawyer to take her case and if you read her complaint you’ll see it is filled with nonsense. Shannon has had no contact with her for many years and we understand that she is still on probation after serving three years in prison.” Evans served 18 months at New York’s Rikers Island as well as another 14 months in state prisons after she was charged with assault following an incident with her husband in 2017 during which he jumped on the hood of her car as she attempted to flee an abusive situation, injuring him in the process. She accepted a plea deal and later was sentenced under the Domestic Violence Survivors Act. Sharpe issued a statement on Thursday saying that he will be stepping back from his duties at ESPN for the time being to spend time with his family and “dealing with these false and disruptive allegations.” “At this juncture I am electing to step aside temporarily from my ESPN duties,” the statement said. “I will be devoting this time to my family and responding and dealing with these false and disruptive allegations set against me. I plan to return to ESPN at the start of the NFL preseason. “I sincerely appreciate the overwhelming and ongoing support I have received from my family, fans, friends and colleagues.” In a new interview with DJ Vlad, Maino was asked for his thoughts on the $50 million lawsuit against Sharpe, which accuses him of sexual assault I don't really feel like we got much in common." Vlad clarified that Sharpe's accuser was "legal" at the time of the incident but that doesn't stop Maino from feeling that the relationship is morally questionable "This didn't sound like a mature 19-year-old 'I'mma say this just to get it on record.'" He also said that he was surprised by the whole situation because he didn't think Sharpe was straight He wasn't really somebody I really knew about like that." Following the allegations against him, Sharpe announced that he would be "stepping aside" from his duties at ESPN. He has denied the allegations and said that the relationship between him and the woman was "100 percent consensual." Kali Uchis: Sincerely, Complex Exclusive Shiny Starlight Vinyl Lil Wayne: Sorry 4 The Wait 2LP Deluxe (Complex Exclusive Red & Black Split Vinyl) 2PAC: The Don Killuminati: The 7 Day Theory – LA King’s Edition (Limited Edition Silver/Black Swirl Vinyl) Big Sean: Dark Sky Paradise 2LP Deluxe (Complex Exclusive Clear Vinyl) Shannon Sharpe Snaps at Someone Off-Camera During Podcast Taping: 'Shut the F*ck Up!' Shannon Sharpe's Legal Team Releases Statement on 2023 Sexual Assault Lawsuit Against Him The woman says she met the 56-year-old Sharpe, who is now an ESPN analyst at a Los Angeles gym in 2023 when she was 20 “A woman can say ‘yes’ to consensual sexual relations with a man ninety-nine times a man who is accustomed to getting what he wants completely fails to understand this basic concept After many months of manipulating and controlling Plaintiff – a woman more than thirty years younger than he – and repeatedly threatening to brutally choke and violently slap her Sharpe refused to accept the answer no and raped Plaintiff despite her sobbing and repeated screams of ‘no.’” The woman also claims Sharpe threatened to kill her after she arrived at his house late on one occasion Additionally she alleges he filmed some of their sexual encounters and shared the footage with others In a statement from Sharpe’s lawyer posted to Sharpe’s X account “Mr Sharpe categorically denies all allegations of coercion or misconduct – especially the gross lie of ‘rape’ – and will not submit to what he sees as an egregious attempt at blackmail,” the statement read in part The woman is being represented by Tony Buzbee who has also represented women who say they have been assaulted by Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs and NFL quarterback Deshaun Watson won three Super Bowls and was an eight-time Pro Bowler He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2011 he fashioned a successful media career with Fox Sports and ESPN (Editor's Note: Please be advised that there is explicit language in this story.) When Shannon Sharpe announced plans to step away from ESPN last month he vowed to return by the start of the football season.  "At this juncture I am electing to step aside temporarily from my ESPN duties," Sharpe said in a statement "I will be devoting this time to my family and responding and dealing with these false and disruptive allegations set against me I plan to return to ESPN at the start of the NFL preseason." sources tell OutKick that Sharpe's return is no guarantee.  an ex-girlfriend filed a $50 million lawsuit against Sharpe He maintains he is innocent and that the relationship was consensual who is ESPN's biggest star and the executive producer of "First Take." On Thursday Smith said he remains "hopeful" Sharpe will return to ESPN in August "He is emphatic that he is innocent of those things," Smith said about Sharpe "But the court of public opinion is what the Disneys of the world and others concern themselves with that has worked against him at this particular moment in time So I’m hopeful this will all go away I’m hopeful that I’ll have my brother back on the airwaves talking football next season." Smith attend ESPN First Take at Clark Atlanta University and Morehouse College on November 8 Sources in the building say ESPN views Sharpe as one of the few true difference makers in terms of linear television viewership The company showed how much it valued Sharpe last year re-signing him to a $6.5 million annual salary for just two days of work a week helps his chances of returning to ESPN at some point Even if Sharpe's name is cleared of the allegations his relationship with the accuser raises questions about his character the Jane Doe's lawyer released an audio recording in which Sharpe is allegedly heard threatening to choke "the shit out of" the woman during an argument since-released text messages spotlight a particularly ugly exchange between Sharpe and his accuser "But I cried when u left because I begged you to put a condom on and not put it in my ass and u didn’t listen," the woman said, per texts reviewed by the New York Post "I don’t care what our history is Sharpe live-streamed a video on Instagram in September in which a woman is heard moaning Sharpe claims he streamed the audio "accidentally," but confirmed it was during a sexual act Sharpe is a nearly 60-year-old man finding himself in toxic public relationships with OnlyFans models 35 years younger (Photo by Cindy Ord/Getty Images for SiriusXM) $100 million contract to co-host "First Take." If Smith is worth that amount of money he shouldn't need Sharpe's participation that badly The network signed Peter Schrager to a multi-year contract last month Schrager is arguably the most informed and interesting NFL commentator on a daily basis The network can also go find another former football player to spar with Smith filling a role vacated after ESPN dismissed Michael Irvin for facing sexual misconduct allegations of his own in 2023 Disney must also consider the precedent it'd set by allowing Sharpe to return. Already, former ESPN anchor Sage Steele criticized the network for taking conservative views more seriously than actual bad behavior "There’s a long list of examples where ESPN/Disney considers having conservative viewpoints a much greater offense than questionable character," Steele said in response to a video of Sharpe daring the accuser to release a full sex tape between the two Ashley Brewer Kaminsky, a conservative anchor who ESPN laid off in 2023, also referenced how ESPN seemingly took her politics more seriously than Sharpe's conduct.   "Never forget when I got chewed out by my boss for posting a pic of a republican congressman & UFC fighter on my instagram story at the Mcgregor fight LOL," Brewer commented below Steele's post he made it clear he is no fan of Donald Trump … sources within the industry don't expect ESPN to bring Sharpe back Smith has enough influence to convince ESPN to change its mind and give Sharpe another chance You are agreeing to OutKick's Terms of Use and Privacy Policy DISCLAIMER: This site is 100% for entertainment purposes only and does not involve real money betting. Gambling related content is not intended for anyone under the age of 21. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem and wants help, call 1-800-GAMBLER and they haven’t done themselves any favors in containing it Kicker Justin Tucker is facing allegations from several Baltimore-area massage therapists claiming sexual misconduct straining the zero-tolerance policy the team once claimed to have but has decided to postpone until the league’s investigation has concluded In Round 2 of the NFL Draft the Ravens once again tied themselves to a player with real off-field question marks Marshall edge rusher Mike Green fell to the end of Round 2 because of his past He was accused of sexual assault in high school and understood that Virginia had its own zero-tolerance policy and Green subsequently found himself at Marshall Nevertheless, Baltimore either feels extremely comfortable in the validity of Green’s denials or it is simply prioritizing football over character Even the Ravens’ past has been marred with controversy this offseason.  Steve Smith is embroiled in a so-called "home-wrecker'' lawsuit Former Baltimore tight end Shannon Sharpe has been accused of sexual assault in a nasty case His ESPN colleague, Stephen A. Smith “Although I was hopeful that it ultimately would not lead to him being off the air, I knew it wasn’t going to go down like that because I know Disney,” Smith said on “BigBoyTV,” via Barrett Media “The court of public opinion is what the Disney’s of the world and others concerned themselves with that has worked against him at this particular moment in time.” ESPN released a statement shortly after the accusations arose announcing that it agreed with Sharpe’s decision to step away from television One outlet reports that Sharpe's return to ESPN is "not guaranteed.'' That isn’t necessarily a presumption of Sharpe’s guilt But it is reckless to allow someone under such serious scrutiny to star on the network’s popular weekday show and Sharpe may have been asked to step away if he hadn’t done so voluntarily Smith clearly disagrees with the decision to take Sharpe off the air and claims it is his duty as a friend to stand by Sharpe amid the turmoil “I know the brother tells me he’s innocent,” Smith said and that honest conversations that he’s had with me he wouldn’t have with just anybody and I’m going to make sure that he knows and that everybody knows that no matter how things go down anything that I can do for him as a friend I will do.” In the wake of the players’ accusations all involved have staunchly denied the respective claims It's been a disturbing offseason for Ravens past and present The lawsuit was filed by a woman who says she met the 56-year-old Sharpe at a Los Angeles gym in 2023 when she was 20 A two-year consensual relationship ensued during which Sharpe, who has previously denied the allegations, said on Thursday that the relationship was “100% consensual” and that he was “electing to step aside temporarily from my ESPN duties.” Read moreIn the statement, he added: “I will be devoting this time to my family, and responding and dealing with these false and disruptive allegations set against me. I plan to return to ESPN at the start of the NFL preseason.” Sharpe has fashioned a successful media career on television and podcasts since he retired from the NFL and had recently signed a contract extension with ESPN and we agree with Shannon’s decision to step away,” the network said In the lawsuit the woman also claims Sharpe once threatened to kill her after she arrived at his house Sharpe’s lawyer also said the audio recording was “heavily edited and taken entirely out of context.” Sharpe temporarily stepped away from his role at CBS Sports in 2010 after a woman accused him of sexual assault. Sharpe never faced criminal charges over those allegations, and he later returned to his job Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre speaks to supporters on election night in Ottawa on April 29.Chris Young/The Canadian Press In the very early hours of Tuesday morning, Pierre Poilievre delivered an extraordinary speech to the few hundred Conservative faithful still gathered in the loveless embrace of a slick downtown Ottawa convention centre It reminded me of something else I once saw but it was clear that Canada’s next government would be Liberal The Conservative Leader delivered an election result better than expected, given how Donald Trump upended the political landscape And that outcome was nowhere near the crushing Conservative majority that seemed certain just months ago Poilievre was the prime minister in-waiting and the actual prime minister was a dead man walking Poilievre did not arrive on the stage in that room full of blue to deliver a concession speech and then laid it on the line immediately: I’m not going anywhere “It will be an honour to continue to fight for you and to be a champion of your cause as we go forward,” Mr Poilievre told the party that had chucked its past two leaders out a window after a single election loss Opinion: The good and unnecessarily bad of Pierre Poilievre He emphasized that Canadians had voted for “a razor-thin minority government, a virtual tie in the vote count,” though by morning, that wouldn’t be the case. Mr. Poilievre congratulated Prime Minister Mark Carney the Conservative Leader quelled them by saying the time would come to hold the government to account “Conservatives will work with the Prime Minister and all parties with the common goal of defending Canada’s interests and getting a new trade deal that puts these tariffs behind us while protecting our sovereignty and the Canadian people,” Mr there’s an alternate universe in which he said that or something similarly magnanimous back in November or March or two weeks ago It‘s hard not to wonder what might have changed if he had He outlined how the loss was really a win if you looked at it right telling his fellow Tories that they had “much to celebrate,” gaining more than 20 seats and landing the largest share of the popular vote since Brian Mulroney’s 1988 landslide There was another time when that sprawling suburban-rural region on the edge of Ottawa voted for an upstart and turfed a political veteran The day after that election, in 2004, CPAC interviewed a panel of newly elected MPs and the host began by introducing the Conservative rookie who had just toppled Liberal cabinet minister David Pratt as “a bit of a giant killer.” And there sat 25-year-old Mr Canadian voters had just handed a bedraggled Liberal government a fourth-term minority and the newly united Conservatives under Stephen Harper had come up short of expectations Poilievre instantly framed that loss as a victory too: It was the best popular vote a centre-right party had achieved since 1988 and they’d gained more seats than anyone else He argued that this new Parliament needed to democratize things because there had been a corrosive concentration of power in the Prime Minister’s Office And he wanted to “give people the right to fire their members of Parliament by petition if they break their word,” which he would propose in a private member’s bill is that you have the ability to speak up as an individual member of Parliament,” he said “These are the kinds of things that Liberal members of Parliament are not able to do because of the intense party discipline that comes down from the top.” Poilievre told Jordan Peterson that he’s never changed his mind on anything And it is certainly some kind of remarkable that the same points he was raising in teenage letters to the editor or an undergraduate essay about becoming prime minister are how he fought this election campaign to try to land that job in real life Poilievre wanted to bring home on election night was the idea he underlined over and over again: A big shift doesn’t happen all at once and you have to be patient enough to let it unfold when they were still tallying the ballots but the answer that counted was already clear Poilievre was trying to persuade his party that this result He was good for the rest if they would just wait a while and put their knife-sharpening kits away “I know that some of you might be disappointed that change did not get over the finish line tonight because our people and our country are worth fighting for.” This wasn’t something 25-year-old Pierre Poilievre had given attention to in that long-ago interview doesn’t shape a young man’s view of the world like it does when you’re older Report an editorial error Report a technical issue Editorial code of conduct Authors and topics you follow will be added to your personal news feed in Following Shannon Proudfoot is a feature writer in The Globe and Mail's Ottawa Bureau She loves the hidden complexities and human side of politics and big news moments - not just what happened An incurable \"process nerd,\" she's convinced anything is fascinating if you watch long enough and ask enough questions to understand how it works Shannon was raised in a working-class family in Sault Ste Marie and can't quite shake her fascination with how social class figures in public life - or she was the Ottawa bureau chief for Maclean's and wrote for Sportsnet magazine Welcome to The Globe and Mail’s comment community. This is a space where subscribers can engage with each other and Globe staff. Non-subscribers can read and sort comments but will not be able to engage with them in any way. Click here to subscribe If you would like to write a letter to the editor, please forward it to letters@globeandmail.com. Readers can also interact with The Globe on Facebook and Twitter Welcome to The Globe and Mail’s comment community This is a space where subscribers can engage with each other and Globe staff We aim to create a safe and valuable space for discussion and debate If you do not see your comment posted immediately it is being reviewed by the moderation team and may appear shortly We aim to have all comments reviewed in a timely manner Comments that violate our community guidelines will not be posted UPDATED: Read our community guidelines here We have closed comments on this story for legal reasons or for abuse. For more information on our commenting policies and how our community-based moderation works, please read our Community Guidelines and our Terms and Conditions After Michael Jung’s unbelievable fifth win at Kentucky shattering dressage scores and leading margins this week’s Adelaide Equestrian Festival the second CCI5*-L competition of the year Hazel Shannon (AUS) and Willingapark Clifford joined Jung in breaking records with a historic fourth win by the same horse and rider combination It’s a feat that puts them on par with the likes of Oliver Townend (GBR) and Ballaghmore Class and Michael Jung (GER) and La Biosthetique Sam and further cements their position in Australian eventing history But it didn’t start out as a likely outcome Equiratings Prediction Centre has Shannon and Clifford on a 2% win chance coming into competition and a 10% podium chance no doubt there were questions about Clifford at a five star The chestnut Thoroughbred started the week as he meant to go A score of 30.2 was good enough to put them in second after an electric atmosphere in dressage proved to be the undoing of a couple of other competitors the partnership drew on their experience representing Australia in the 2022 Eventing World Championships in Pratoni del Vivaro a Nation’s Cup team appearance at Le Pin du Haras traveling reserve for the Paris Olympic team and overnight leaders Shenae Lowings (AUS) and her off-the-track-Thoroughbred Bold Venture came to grief at a late combination of huge open corners “He’s just like a bit of a freak,” Shannon laughed after their cross country round adding 11.6 time penalties to drop into third I am really watchful about how much work I do and what surfaces I ride on less than 1 in 10 riders will make the time the 2025 edition designed by Mike Etherington-Smith (GBR) was par for the course But two riders out of 20 starters achieved double clear rounds: three-time Olympic team member Shane Rose (AUS) and The Bandit and young gun Sophia Hill (AUS) and Humble Glory coming back from overseas and a top 25 finish at Burghley “He doesn’t love dressage,” Rose said of Bandit after cross country I thought if I could get a good dressage test out he’d be pretty competitive down here.” Rose and Bandit moved up the leaderboard from ninth to first while Hill and “Hughie” rocketed from 17th on 41.2 to hold second place overnight “He’s always been a phenomenal jumping horse He’s pretty much always jumped double clear,” Hill said of her partner “But I think just us getting to know each other as a partnership and me becoming more experienced as a rider [has helped] because he was my first proper four-star horse He absolutely ate up the cross country out there today.” After one more restless night’s sleep for the competitors the final phase proved to be every inch the challenge that was cross country Rails dropped all over David Sheppard’s course With an average of 9.03 penalties per round Two rails down still claimed a celebration of success Shannon went into the ring in the final podium position One rail down at a natural oxer on the rail right up against the crowd put them on a total score over the three days of 45.9 Hill went into the ring in second position With fastest man in eventing and Paris Olympics individual silver medalist Christ Burton (AUS) coaching from the sidelines she and Hughie were making easy work of the course She was eliminated to the groans of the captive audience Final to go and with 9.6 penalties in hand Rose and The Bandit let the win slip through their reins when they dropped three poles to slot into second Five-star rookie Samuel Jeffree and Wimborne Conjuror rounded out the podium on 50.4 As Shannon’s support team ran screaming to her Ten years of competing with Clifford at Adelaide has produced five star wins in 2016 “I don’t really know what more to say,” Shannon said but even when I don’t do a great job I’m so glad that he’s made history again.” With the first two five stars of the year complete all eyes now turn to Badminton in the UK next week and what records will be over turned there… NFL Hall of Famer and media personality Shannon Sharpe is facing a $50 million civil lawsuit over sexual assault allegations On April 21, 2025, Gabriella Zuniga, a model and content creator best known for her work on OnlyFans filed a $50 million civil lawsuit against Sharpe in Clark County Identifying initially as "Jane Doe," Zuniga accuses Sharpe of rape and the intentional infliction of emotional distress the pair’s relationship began in 2023 when Zuniga was 19 years old She claims Sharpe engaged in non-consensual sexual acts secretly recorded explicit videos without her consent and subjected her to repeated emotional abuse and threats throughout their time together Shannon Sharpe has categorically denied the allegations he described the lawsuit as a "shakedown attempt," and released a series of text messages that released audio recordings they allege capture Sharpe making aggressive and threatening remarks The scandal surrounding Sharpe deepened further when Michele Bundy Evans, a former girlfriend, came forward with renewed accusations. Evans claims that during their decade-long relationship, which ended in 2010, Sharpe repeatedly engaged in sexual misconduct and issued threats Although Evans sought an order of protection at the time Legal proceedings connected to her claims remain active Sharpe announced that he would temporarily step away from his duties at ESPN’s First Take he said he would use the time to "focus on his family and address these serious allegations." Sources close to the network suggest Sharpe hopes to return before the 2025 NFL season kicks off though his future at the network remains uncertain Post Malone’s Ex Seeks Full Custody and Visitation Rights Vancouver Car Attack: Suspect Officially Charged Martinelli’s Apple Juice Recall Sparks Legal Risks SpaceX and Steve Riabov: Inspiration from 13 Years Ago Maryland Man Sues Novo Nordisk, Claims Ozempic Caused Blindness Pro Football Hall of Famer and media personality Shannon Sharpe is facing a $50 million civil lawsuit The woman, who used the alias "Jane Doe" in a lawsuit filed on Sunday in Clark County, Nevada alleged that Sharpe engaged in the intentional infliction of emotional distress and that he assaulted her twice The woman says Sharpe became violent over the course of the relationship threatened to kill her during one incident and recorded their sexual encounters without her consent "Sharpe flew into fits of anger when Plaintiff noted his infidelity to their relationship or called him out about his extraneous activities," the lawsuit said and intimidation now became something far more dangerous and sinister Sharpe even figured out how to get into Doe’s apartment complex without her permission." Sharpe announced Thursday he was stepping away from his ESPN duties but planned to return to the job at "the beginning of the NFL preseason Sharpe's lawyer denies allegations made by former girlfriendShannon Sharpe's attorneys are again going on the offensive this time against a woman who was in a previous relationship with the Hall of Famer then threatened to "ruin her" if she discussed the incident Michele Bundy Evans, who sued Sharpe in 2023 for defamation, libel and slander said in an interview with The Sun that Sharpe sexually assaulted her in 2010 and that she filed a restraining order against him Sharpe's legal team said that Evans' accusations "are nothing more than old news or sometimes blatant misrepresentations of fact." "They are shared on social media or fed to reporters with intentional factual omissions and no regard for the truth designed to create a fabricated narrative," Mitchell Schuster "This is exactly what is happening to Shannon Sharpe and the resurrection of the case involving Michele Evans is a perfect example Evans became obsessed with Shannon and decided to manufacture a claim against him When she could not find a lawyer to pursue her outrageous story she filed a civil complaint on her own that is completely devoid of merit." According to a report in Front Office Sports while he was a co-host of Undisputed on FS1 was accused of choking a female production assistant in the workplace and settled the case for "several hundred thousand dollars." A representative for Sharpe disputed the characterization in a statement to Front Office Sports: "There was no incident of choking involving Shannon on the FS1 set he and a few colleagues were involved in some light physical interaction in a playful context Fox Sports later chose to resolve the matter privately." On Thursday, Sharpe said in a statement:  "The relationship in question was 100 % consensual "At this junction I am eliciting to step aside temporarily from my ESPN duties I plan to return to ESPN at the start of the NFL preseason I sincerely appreciate the overwhelming and ongoing support I have received from my family friends and colleagues."ESPN said in a statement: "This is a serious situation and we agree with Shannon’s decision to step away." Shannon Sharpe's response to allegationsSharpe, 56, denied the sexual assault allegations in a video published on social media saying that the lawsuit was essentially a "shakedown" and he is the victim of a "blatant set-up," orchestrated by attorney Tony Buzbee and the accuser The woman said she met Sharpe in 2023 at a Los Angeles gym when she was 19 Davis said the lawsuit was filled with "lies and misrepresentations – and it will not succeed." Sharpe categorically denies all allegations of coercion or misconduct -- especially the gross lie of 'rape' -- and will not submit to what he sees as an egregious attempt at blackmail," Davis said in the statement "He stands firmly by the truth and is prepared to fight these false claims vigorously in court He looks forward to vindication through due process and a judgment based on facts and the law." with his lawyer releasing explicit text messages between him and the woman and going on social media to defend himself "I'm going to be open, transparent, and defend myself because this isn't right," Sharpe said in an Instagram video on Tuesday "This is all being orchestrated by Tony Buzbee.. I believe he is going to release a 30-second clip of a sex tape that tries to make me look guilty and plays into every stereotype you can possibly imagine." calling Sharpe a liar and saying Sharpe offered the plaintiff $10 million to settle the case "I didn’t seek her out as a client or target anyone Buzbee was part of the legal team that reached settlements against Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson after more than two dozen massage therapists accused him of sexual misconduct ESPN response to Shannon Sharpe lawsuitIt was business as usual for Sharpe this week as he appeared on both "First Take" and his YouTube show "Nightcap" with former NFL receiver Chad Johnson While ESPN hasn't officially commented on the lawsuit Smith took time to address the situation on his YouTube show adding he got permission from ESPN chairman Jimmy Pitaro to comment “I recruited Shannon… but I’m not the boss,” Smith added. “Those are other folks. There are layers to this and there are certain layers that even I am not on. I can tell you I also spoke to co-chairman of Disney, the boss, Jimmy Pitaro, who made it very, very clear that [ESPN is] taking this matter very seriously and we are looking into this very, very closely and once we gather as many facts as we possibly can, we will go from there." (new Image()).src='https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=9c70969a-1597-42dd-9980-f3d56f4c8b56&cid=8d6b4040-04c9-4ad0-aa63-766b9eb4e9b9';cnx.cmd.push(function(){cnx({playerId:"9c70969a-1597-42dd-9980-f3d56f4c8b56",mediaId:"109b1487-f678-4e4d-bfca-e50d692e3efd"}).render("9fbae5d5ead345a586f80c65a3119c82");}); His ex-staffer, known as Hollywood Mugler or Russell “Hollywood” Simpson, uploaded an image of Sharpe alongside several women who appeared to be bottle girls at an event. While the image may seem innocent, Mugler alluded to a much more sinister backstory. “See, when I was around, you never heard a single word! I had everything so organized!” he wrote. Sharpe seemingly parted ways with Mugler after leaving FS1 in 2023. Prior to their split, the pair were frequently seen together at red carpet events. In late 2024, rumors began circulating online that Sharpe was allegedly trying to block Mugler from appearing on a reality show, seemingly out of fear that the stylist might spill some tea about him. This latest round of speculation comes as Sharpe continues to fight a $50 million lawsuit accusing him of sexual assault during a two-year relationship with an adult content creator. He has maintained his innocence, stating that all sexual encounters were consensual. Things you buy through our links may earn Vox Media a commission “After many months of manipulating and controlling Plaintiff — a woman more than 30 years younger than he — and repeatedly threatening to brutally choke and violently slap her despite her sobbing and repeated screams of ‘no,’” the suit filed on April 20 says This post has been updated with a statement Password must be at least 8 characters and contain: you’ll receive occasional updates and offers from New York Sign In Register LAS VEGAS (AP) — Former NFL star Shannon Sharpe said Thursday he is stepping away temporarily from his ESPN duties while he deals with what he called false allegations in a $50 million civil lawsuit filed against him by a woman who alleges he raped and threatened her Sharpe said in a statement that he would return to ESPN at the start of the NFL preseason The first preseason game is set for July 31 “I will be devoting this time to my family and responding and dealing with these false and disruptive allegations set against me,” Sharpe said adding: “I sincerely appreciate the overwhelming and ongoing support I have received from my family Attorneys filed the lawsuit Sunday in Clark County for a woman listed in court documents as Jane Doe The lawsuit also accuses Sharpe of using physical force on her and inflicting emotional distress The woman first met Sharpe at a gym in Los Angeles in 2023 when she was 20 and a nearly two-year relationship followed is accused of raping the woman in October 2024 and again in January Sharpe had posted a statement from his lawyer on X saying the relationship was consensual and calling the lawsuit a “blatant and cynical attempt to shake down” Sharpe for millions of dollars Sharpe was a four-time All-Pro tight end who played on two Super Bowl-winning teams with Denver and one with Baltimore over 14 seasons from 1990 to 2003 He was voted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2011 Sharpe retired as the NFL’s all-time leader among tight ends in receptions (815) yards receiving (10,060) and touchdowns (62) Sharpe has been a staple on TV and social media since retiring He left FS1’s sports debate show “Undisputed” in 2023 and joined ESPN soon afterward AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl a Pro Football Hall of Fame tight end and current ESPN host said Thursday he would step away from his TV duties after a Nevada woman sued him for sexual assault and battery in Nevada civil court "At this juncture I am electing to step aside temporarily from my ESPN duties," Sharpe said in a statement "I will be devoting this time to my family I plan to return to ESPN at the start of the NFL preseason." and we agree with Shannon's decision to step away." is accused of sexually assaulting a woman he met in a Los Angeles-area health club in 2023 says the woman and Sharpe had a "rocky consensual relationship" lasting nearly two years but that it turned "controlling" and "abusive." The suit describes in detail a number of increasingly aggressive encounters and says the relationship became "fearful and non-consensual" in the summer of 2024 Sharpe became increasingly verbally abusive once threatening to kill the woman and recording their sexual encounters without consent The suit, filed by the law firm headed by Tony Buzbee (who also represented a number of women who filed civil suits against NFL quarterback Deshaun Watson) asks for more than $50 million in damages and penalties Sharpe was a four-time All-Pro tight end who played on two Super Bowl championship teams with the Denver Broncos and another with the Baltimore Ravens over 14 seasons from 1990 to 2003. He was voted into the Hall of Fame in 2011. Sharpe has been a staple on TV and social media since retiring. He left FS1's sports debate show "Undisputed" in 2023 and joined ESPN soon afterward. Information from The Associated Press was used in this report. sexual battery and intentional infliction of emotional distress after multiple alleged non-consensual sexual encounters in her Las Vegas apartment between October and January The lawsuit was filed Sunday night in Clark County “This is a shakedown,” Sharpe said in a video posted Tuesday on his Instagram account, adding that he will sue his accuser and her attorney, Tony Buzbee “for defamation and trying to take me down.” Sharpe’s attorney, Lanny J. Davis, told reporters Tuesday that Sharpe had offered his accuser “at least $10 million” to settle the case in mediation, but the offer was declined. Buzbee said on Instagram that his client “was in fact offered $10 million to settle but rejected that offer, choosing instead to proceed with litigation.” “The lawsuit filed under the pseudonym ‘Jane Doe’ lays out a pattern of intimidation, manipulation, and abuse, including allegations that Sharpe repeatedly threatened to choke and slap Jane Doe,” Buzbee said in a statement emailed to The Times on Monday. Sports discuss a hairstylist’s lawsuit against Skip Bayless Sharpe responded to the accusations Monday by posting a statement from Davis on X Sharpe categorically denies all allegations of coercion or misconduct — especially the gross lie of ‘rape’ — and will not submit to what he sees as an egregious attempt at blackmail,” the statement reads “He stands firmly by the truth and is prepared to fight these false claims vigorously in court He looks forward to vindication through due process and a judgment based on the facts and the law.” According to the lawsuit, Sharpe and his accuser met while working out at a Los Angeles gym in 2023, when he was 54 and she was 20, after which he “incessantly pursued” her for a couple weeks before they started “a rocky consensual relationship that lasted nearly two years.” During their relationship, the lawsuit alleges, Sharpe was controlling and manipulative, with his accuser allegedly discovering over time “that Sharpe was extremely emotional and possessed an uncontrollable temper.” “Sharpe’s behavior demonstrates that he believed Plaintiff to be his personal property, possessed and owned by him,” the lawsuit states. “He also believed that the laws did not apply to him, that he could take what he wanted, and that no one could or would stop him. He was and is wrong.” According to Davis’ statement, the consensual sex between Sharpe and his accuser continued until Jan. 2. It also includes several examples of sexually explicit text messages allegedly sent by the accuser to Sharpe. “The evidence paints a clear picture: this was a consensual adult relationship that included role-playing, sexual language, and fantasy scenarios explicitly requested by [the accuser,]” Davis stated. Noushin Faraji has accused ex-Fox Sports host Skip Bayless of making unwanted sexual advances toward her including offering the hairstylist $1.5 million to have sex with him Sharpe has found massive success as a podcaster, hosting such shows as “Club Shay Shay” and “Nightcap.” On Friday, Front Office Sports reported that Sharpe’s media deal with The Volume podcast network has expired and that sources say Sharpe “has received multiple offers and is expected to sign a deal that would exceed $100 million.” Sharpe played 14 NFL seasons and won three Super Bowls two with the Denver Broncos and one with the Baltimore Ravens He currently works for ESPN and makes regular appearances on “First Take.” ESPN declined to comment for this story Chuck Schilken is a sports reporter on the Fast Break team. He spent more than 18 years with the Los Angeles Times’ Sports Department in a variety of roles. Before joining The Times, he worked for more than a decade as a sports reporter and editor at newspapers in Virginia and Maryland. Climate & Environment World & Nation California Dodgers Galaxy Subscribe for unlimited accessSite Map Pro Football Hall of Famer and media personality Shannon Sharpe said on Thursday he is stepping away from ESPN Sharpe regularly appears as a panelist on "First Take" and is currently embroiled in a $50 million sexual assault and battery civil lawsuit. Sharpe said in a statement: "My statement is found here and this is the truth The relationship in question was 100 % consensual ESPN said in a statement: "This is a serious situation Sharpe was set to expand his role on "First Take" and his presence across ESPN platforms under the new deal but he'll now be missing from the ESPN airwaves entirely SHANNON SHARPE accused of sexual assault, battery in $50 million civil lawsuit MORE: Shannon Sharpe parts ways with Skip Bayless, Fox Sports' 'Undisputed,' per report Sharpe's decision to step away comes on the heels of a civil lawsuit filed against him in Clark County According to the suit obtained by USA TODAY Sports listed under the alias "Jane Doe," alleged that Sharpe sexually assaulted her twice They met at a Los Angeles gym in 2023 when she was 19 The plaintiff said she was in a relationship with Sharpe for nearly two years and it began as a "rocky consensual relationship." The woman says Sharpe became violent over the course of the relationship The lawsuit is seeking $50 million in damages for sexual assault and battery, in addition to engaging in the intentional infliction of emotional distress. Sharpe denied the allegations on Tuesday in an Instagram video and said he's the victim of a "blatant set-up" and "shakedown" attempt In September, Sharpe inadvertently livestreamed audio of him having sex to his roughly 3.2 million followers on Instagram Sharpe later owned up and apologized for his mistake "Obviously I am embarrassed. Someone that is extremely, extremely private and to have one of your most intimate details – the audio – heard for the entire world to hear, I’m embarrassed for a number of reasons," Sharpe said at the time on the "Nightcap" podcast "There are a lot of people that count on Shannon to be professional at all times and I always try to be professional at all times Sharpe didn't face any discipline from ESPN over the incident Sharpe played 14 seasons in the NFL (1990-2003), primarily for the Denver Broncos where he played two separate stints (1990-99 2002-03) and won two Super Bowls (1998-99) He also won a Super Bowl with the Baltimore Ravens in 2001 was named to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2011 He served as a commentator for CBS Sports' "The NFL Today" from 2004-2014 and later joined FS1's "Undisputed" alongside co-host Bayless in 2016 The pairing of Sharpe and Bayless was gold for TV ratings but their on-air chemistry turned contentious Sharpe no-showed "Undisputed" the next morning "There’s been a lot of speculation to why I wasn’t on air yesterday.. and hopefully Skip would take it down," Sharpe said because I stand by what I tweeted." A clearly frustrated Sharpe responded "I can’t even get through a monologue without you interrupting." Sharpe filmed his last show for "Undisputed" in June 2023 after reaching a buyout with Fox Sports Podcast empireSharpe has his podcast empire to keep him busy After leaving FS1's "Undisputed," Sharpe signed a media deal to partner with The Volume Colin Cowherd’s digital podcast network in August 2023 "Club Shay Shay" has amassed nearly 4M subscribers on YouTube and has featured many guests "Nightcap," a nighttime podcast Sharpe co-hosts with Chad "Ochocinco" Johnson has over 1.7M subscribers since launching on September 2023 Last week, Front Office Sports reported that Sharpe was nearing a new podcast deal that exceeds $100 million This story was edited to add new information and for editing The USA TODAY app gets you to the heart of the news — fast. Download for award-winning coverage, crosswords, audio storytelling, the eNewspaper and more. Sharpe initially suggested he was shouting at someone “next door” but didn’t provide any further details — that is One viewer asked the Pro Football Hall of Famer who he was addressing in the now-viral moment Sharpe told viewers he was responding to his “neighbor” who allegedly shouted “But I was joking — my next door neighbor,” he said “But I’m surprised because normally I don’t have anybody next me.” Ochocino told Sharpe to knock on the wall and invite his neighbor to come on camera Sharpe immediately shot down the suggestion “He’s asleep now… He don’t leave over there.” He told Sharpe not to let his neighbor “punk” him and questioned why Sharpe went from “screaming” to “whispering.” Sharpe confessed he couldn’t be mad at the neighbor because he reacts the same way when others next door start getting loud Sharpe has vehemently denied the allegations and referred to the lawsuit as a “shakedown.” “This is all being orchestrated by Tony Buzbee, who has targeted Jay Z,” he said, referring to Jane Doe’s attorney. “Tony Buzbee targets Black men and I believe he is going to release a 30-second clip of a sex tape to try to make me look guilty and play into every stereotype you can possible imagine.” the two of them allegedly met in 2002 and dated until 2010 when she alleges that he raped her "We were arguing and he was threatening me and stuff like that after but I didn't see him again after he raped me," she alleged Evans said it was too difficult to look back on the experience She accused him of defaming her after she obtained a restraining order against him over ten years ago Evans dropped the restraining order shortly after filing "Michelle Evans’ claims are ridiculous and completely without merit," Sharpe's attorney Vincent Morris reportedly told the New York Post "She could not find a lawyer to take her case and if you read her complaint Shannon has had no contact with her for many years and we understand that she is still on probation after serving three years in prison." Read More: Shannon Sharpe's Former Stylist Insinuates He Covered Up The NFL Star's Allegations The lawsuit resurfaced due to another lawsuit Sharpe was recently hit with, though this time his accuser filed anonymously. She's suing him for $50 million, accusing him of rape and assault. Sharpe also denies these allegations Read More: Shannon Sharpe Brings More Negative Attention To Himself After Mini Crash Out During "Nightcap" Ex-NFL player and podcaster Shannon Sharpe was accused of rape in a Nevada lawsuit filed Sunday and latter characterized the legal action as a “shakedown,” saying in a Tuesday statement he plans to sue the plaintiff and her high-profile lawyer Former NFL player Shannon Sharpe is seen on the set of The NFL Network along Radio Row on February .. The lawsuit filed says a Jane Doe had a “rocky consensual relationship” with Sharpe and accused the former football player of rape claiming Sharpe raped her twice in October and once in January also alleges Sharpe insisted on recording sexual encounters though the plaintiff accused Sharpe of sharing videos with friends on multiple occasions Buzbee responded to Sharpe and Davis with his own statement saying Sharpe disclosed the existence of the video to “get ahead of it,” adding the video will be played to a jury in the case Get Forbes Breaking News Text Alerts: We’re launching text message alerts so you'll always know the biggest stories shaping the day’s headlines. Text “Alerts” to (201) 335-0739 or sign up here saying on one of his podcasts “It wasn’t a prank Many Voices. Create a free account to share your thoughts.  Forbes Community GuidelinesOur community is about connecting people through open and thoughtful conversations We want our readers to share their views and exchange ideas and facts in a safe space In order to do so, please follow the posting rules in our site's Terms of Service.  We've summarized some of those key rules below Your post will be rejected if we notice that it seems to contain: User accounts will be blocked if we notice or believe that users are engaged in: Thanks for reading our community guidelines. Please read the full list of posting rules found in our site's Terms of Service. April 2025 | This month Secretary Shannon Dunfield is featured in the Secretary Spotlight With deep roots in the Métis community and over 30 years of experience in education Secretary Shannon Dunfield is a powerful force for change Originally from Kelly Lake and now a long-time resident of Grande Prairie Shannon has dedicated her life to uplifting Indigenous communities—especially through youth and sport initiatives and heritage continue to shape a stronger future Secretary Shannon Dunfield is originally from the Indigenous community of Kelly Lake and has called Grande Prairie and the surrounding area home for over 30 years She proudly carries her Métis heritage on both sides of her family with maternal roots in the Gladue/Whitford families and paternal roots in the Belcourt/Gauthier families With a master’s degree and over three decades of experience in education Shannon has dedicated her life to uplifting others She is also a proud mom to two amazing children and has been married to her husband Ken for more than 25 years As an avid volunteer for more than 30 years Secretary Dunfield has been involved with many not-for-profit organizations specifically focused on the health and sport fields Her dedication to supporting youth and Indigenous communities led her to get involved in Indigenous sport in 2014 She has served as Chair of Indigenous Sport Council Alberta since 2018 was honoured to be President of the North American Indigenous Games (NAIG) Council from 2020-2023 and joined the Board of the 2027 Host Society in 2024 She was a panelist at the inaugural Reconciliation through Sport event hosted by Canada’s Sport Hall of Fame in 2021 and played a key role in bringing the National Aboriginal Hockey Championships to Alberta for the first time in the tournament’s history She will also be receiving an Esquao Award in June which recognizes Indigenous women in Alberta for their achievements in sports Secretary Dunfield ensures that records are kept and maintained in accordance with Otipemisiwak Métis Government Law She leads the Government’s work to maintain accurate up-to-date information through the Public Registry One of her key accomplishments has been helping to develop a user-friendly Public Registry process Thanks to the collaboration with the Self-Government and Communications departments within the Otipemisiwak Métis Government this process is almost complete and will have direct links to legislation © Copyright 2025 Métis Nation of Alberta Eddie passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving family at the Anson General Hospital in Iroquois falls on Saturday December 7th He was the son of the late Orrie Shannon and late Helen Shannon (nee Campbell) He will be deeply missed by his spouse Adele Watters 2024 at 11 am with reception to follow in the church hall Andrew's United Church in Matheson and would be appreciated by the family If you wish to send online condolences to his family please visitwww.irvineandirvinefuneralhome.com The TOI Sports Desk excels in a myriad of roles that capture the essence of live sporting events and deliver compelling content to readers worldwide From running live blogs for India and non-India cricket matches to global spectacles featuring Indian talents like the Chess World Cup final featuring Praggnanandhaa and the Badminton World Championships semifinal featuring HS Prannoy our live coverage extends to all mega sporting events We extensively cover events like the Olympics The desk is also adept at writing comprehensive match reports and insightful post-match commentary complemented by stats-based articles that provide an in-depth analysis of player performances and team dynamics conduct exclusive player interviews in both text and video formats and file content from print editions and reporters trending topics and produce our own copies on the subjects Master your Vocabulary: 10 forgotten old words one can use even today Alia to Deepika: Met Gala debut looks of Indian personalities over the years Baby girl names that are as auspicious as Akshaya Tritiya 10 beautiful baby names that mean unending joy in different languages ​In Pics: Adorable looks of Chaitra Reddy​ ​10 most intelligent animals on the planet ​ ​10 animals that can survive without a brain​ 8 hidden villages in Himachal Pradesh perfect for a summer escape Our Privacy Policy has been revised. Please review updated ';P+='Privacy Policy Here';P+=' Editor's note: Shannon Sharpe denied the sexual assault allegations Tuesday, alleging that he's the victim of a "blatant set-up" and "shakedown" attempt. Pro Football Hall of Famer and media personality Shannon Sharpe is facing a lawsuit and engaging in the intentional infliction of emotional distress The lawsuit was filed Sunday in Clark County listed under the alias "Jane Doe," said she was in a relationship with Sharpe for nearly two years and it began as a "rocky consensual relationship." said she met Sharpe at a Los Angeles gym in 2023 when she was 19 and alleges in the lawsuit that Sharpe Davis called the lawsuit "a blatant and cynical attempt to shake down Mr control and intimidation now became something far more dangerous and sinister "Sharpe made it clear that what Doe wanted was of no moment Shannon Sharpe violently sexually assaulted" the plaintiff on two separate occasions in Las Vegas "Jane Doe" is represented by attorneys Tony Buzbee and Micah Nash Buzbee was part of the legal team that won settlements against Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson after more than two dozen massage therapists accused him of sexual misconduct Davis' statement included several explicit text messages allegedly sent from Doe to Sharpe in order to "set the record straight." Sharpe, a three-time Super Bowl-winning tight end, has his own successful podcast, "Club Shay Shay," and makes regular appearances on ESPN’s First Take. It was reported last week that Sharpe is eyeing a new podcast deal in excess of $100 million All the news on and off the field: Sign up for USA TODAY's Sports newsletter (This story was updated to include new information and video.) This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks The action you just performed triggered the security solution There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase You can email the site owner to let them know you were blocked Please include what you were doing when this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom of this page.