NFL Hall of Famer Shannon Sharpe, who turned his sharp tongue and insight into a second act on television, now finds himself off ESPN airwaves after a turbulent summer.
Sharpe is officially out at ESPN. The network has parted ways with the 57‑year‑old just weeks after he settled a lawsuit in which an ex-girlfriend accused him of rape, sources confirmed to Front Office Sports. The Athletic first reported the decision. The lawsuit, filed in April, sought $50 million in damages. Sharpe denied the allegations and said he would return to ESPN in time for the NFL season. Instead, on July 18, the accuser’s attorney, Tony Buzbee, announced a settlement. That outcome seemed to clear the path for Sharpe’s return to football coverage. ESPN had other plans.
ESPN has cut ties with Shannon Sharpe, per @AndrewMarchand.https://t.co/OhbHyIKTTe pic.twitter.com/k8kWBvpU1p
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) July 30, 2025
This isn’t the first controversy. Earlier this year, FOX reported that Sharpe privately settled another accusation from a production assistant during his FS1 days. At the time, Sharpe had been in talks for a $100 million deal tied to his Shay Shay Media network. For now, Sharpe continues hosting Club Shay Shay and Nightcap.
This is a developing story
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