ESPN has parted ways with sports commentator and NFL Hall of Famer Shannon Sharpe, weeks after he settled a sexual assault lawsuit filed by a woman he had a relationship with.
The firing was first reported by Andrew Marchand of The Athletic.
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NEWS: ESPN has cut ties with Shannon Sharpe less than two weeks after he settled a lawsuit in which his ex-girlfriend accused him of rape, sources tell @AndrewMarchand.
— The Athletic (@TheAthletic) July 30, 2025
Sharpe has not been on the network since late April. ESPN declined to comment.
The lawsuit, which was resolved out of court for undisclosed terms on July 18, alleged that Sharpe “brutally sexually assaulted” a woman on multiple occasions.
READ MORE: Lawyer says lawsuit is over between ex-NFL star Shannon Sharpe and woman who accused him of rape
It was filed by prominent Houston-based attorney Tony Buzbee.
In the days following the announcement of the lawsuit in April, Sharpe made a post on X announcing his intention to temporarily step away from ESPN until the start of the 2025 NFL preseason.
— shannon sharpe (@ShannonSharpe) April 24, 2025
“I will be devoting this time to my family, and responding and dealing with these false and disruptive allegations set against me,” a portion of Sharpe’s statement read.
MORE INFO: Shannon Sharpe, Tony Buzbee trade online blows day after sexual assault lawsuit filed
The NFL preseason is set to kick off Thursday night with the Hall of Fame Game.
