Shannon Sharpe Takes Leave from ESPN Amid Sexual Assault Allegations

NFL Hall of Famer and ESPN personality Shannon Sharpe has announced a temporary leave of absence from his duties at the network following the emergence of serious sexual assault allegations against him.

Sharpe, who co-hosts First Take, shared the news on Thursday, April 24, via Instagram. In a screenshot of a text message posted to his feed, he said the decision was made to focus on addressing the legal battle and spending time with his family.

“The relationship in question was 100% consensual,” Sharpe wrote. “At this juncture I am electing to step aside temporarily from my ESPN duties.”

He added that he plans to return to the network at the start of the NFL preseason, emphasizing his intent to face the matter directly.

“I will be devoting this time to my family and responding to these false and disruptive allegations,” the statement continued. “I sincerely appreciate the overwhelming and ongoing support I have received from my family, fans, friends, and colleagues.”

Allegations and Lawsuit

Sharpe’s leave comes just days after a 13-page civil complaint was filed in Nevada state court on April 20, 2025, accusing him of sexual assault, battery, and intentional infliction of emotional distress.

The plaintiff, identified as Jane Doe, claims she and Sharpe had a two-year on-and-off consensual relationship. However, she alleges that the relationship turned abusive — including claims that he raped her, physically assaulted her, and threatened her life. According to court filings, the alleged incidents began when she tried to share her location with friends, prompting threatening behavior from Sharpe.

Sharpe and his legal team have strongly denied the allegations, labeling them as a calculated extortion attempt. The former Denver Broncos star revealed that the plaintiff is demanding $50 million, and his team has since released sexually explicit text messages purportedly exchanged between the two in an effort to provide context.

Legal and Public Response

Sharpe has also accused the plaintiff’s attorney, Tony Buzbee, of targeting high-profile Black men — noting Buzbee’s involvement in recent lawsuits against celebrities like JAY-Z and Diddy.

Public reaction has been mixed. While many expressed disappointment, Sharpe’s supporters have shown solidarity in his comments section, applauding his decision to step back and face the issue.

“Thank God Unc owns his podcast shows, and can continue working while all this is going on,” one user commented. Another added, “May this be a teachable moment for all — know who you let into your life.”

What’s Next?

As the legal process unfolds, all eyes will remain on both the courtroom and the court of public opinion. For now, Shannon Sharpe has stepped away from ESPN but continues to operate his personal media platforms, including the Club Shay Shay podcast.

No criminal charges have been filed as of the time of reporting.