Pro Football Hall of Famer and sports media titan Shannon Sharpe has resolved a high-profile civil suit in which he was charged with sexual assault, battery, and emotional abuse on a confidential basis. The $50 million complaint filed in April 2025 by a woman identified only as Jane Doe was officially settled and dismissed with prejudice Thursday in a joint statement made available to both parties.
The sudden resolution to the months-long legal standoff was confirmed by Tony Buzbee, a well-known Texas attorney who has represented dozens of women in the Deshaun Watson sexual misconduct lawsuits. Buzbee announced the settlement in a public post on X (formerly Twitter) stating:
“On April 20, 2025, The Buzbee Law Firm filed a complaint in Nevada making several allegations against Shannon Sharpe on behalf of our client. Both sides acknowledge a long term consensual and tumultuous relationship. After protracted and respectful negotiations, I’m pleased to announce that we have reached a mutually agreed upon resolution. All matters have now been addressed satisfactorily, and the matter is closed. The lawsuit will thus be dismissed with prejudice.”
No money or personal terms of the deal were disclosed, and both parties had no further public comment after the releases.
The Allegations: “Violent,” “Nonconsensual Recordings,” and “Emotional Distress”
The lawsuit, which was submitted to Nevada’s Eighth Judicial District Court, accused Sharpe of intentional infliction of emotional distress, sexual assault, and battery stemming from events that allegedly took place while a “volatile” relationship endured for several years.
Jane Doe had complained that Sharpe had beaten her at least twice in October 2024 and also in January 2025. The complaint outlined escalating physical violence and unauthorized recording of sexual activity. It also claimed that Sharpe, 56, used his public status and position to “manipulate and control” her, leaving her traumatized and fearing for her safety.
In court documents, obtained by several media organizations, the plaintiff contended that the former NFL great’s actions had caused her to experience “severe emotional and psychological harm,” and demanded $50 million in damages.
Sharpe, through his attorneys, categorically rebutted them all, adding that the affair itself had been fully consensual and that assertions of the opposite were either overstated or misrepresentative.
Sharpe’s Silence, And His Future at ESPN
Throughout the hearing, Sharpe was still very quiet about it. The ex-tight end turned commentator still has his hit podcast, “Club Shay Shay,” that has exploded in popularity over the last few years. It also often has A-list guests such as Katt Williams, Monique, and Megan Thee Stallion.
However, there has been doubt about his status at ESPN, where he co-anchors First Take alongside Stephen A. Smith. While still appearing regularly in pre-taped podcast segments, Sharpe hasn’t worked at the network in a live on-air role since late June. ESPN has said nothing officially about his status or whether he’ll return to be on air in the next couple of weeks.
Insiders within the network were said to have characterized the situation as “under review” but would not comment on the record. Whether Sharpe returns or not, it is not known if the network will acknowledge the resolution of the lawsuit or let the story quietly die.
