Shannon Sharpe is used to being in the spotlight, but this week, it’s not for his takes on the NFL or his viral debates with Stephen A. Smith.
The former football star turned TV personality has decided to temporarily step away from his ESPN role following a serious accusation that’s quickly become national news.
The Allegation and Sharpe’s Response
The 56-year-old Sharpe is now facing a $50 million rape lawsuit from a woman who says the alleged incident happened when she was in her late teens.
The woman, now in her 20s, claims they met when she was 19.
Sharpe has firmly denied all allegations and maintains the relationship in question was “100% consensual.”
In a brief but clear statement shared with the public, Sharpe said:
“At this juncture, I am electing to step aside temporarily from my ESPN duties.
I will be devoting this time to my family, and responding and dealing with these false and disruptive allegations.”
He added that he plans to return in time for the NFL preseason and thanked fans, friends, and colleagues for their support during what he called an incredibly difficult time.
ESPN Issues a Statement as Backlash Grows
ESPN, which had remained quiet in the early stages of the controversy, has now publicly addressed Sharpe’s decision to step away.
In a statement quoted by The Athletic, the network said,
“This is a serious situation, and we agree with Shannon’s decision to step away.”
The network’s comment came after a growing online firestorm and leaked clips that painted a disturbing picture of the accusations.
Controversial Clips and Private Texts Surface
In recent days, video clips have surfaced showing Sharpe using threatening language, including one where he appears to say he would “choke the s***” out of the woman.
These clips, combined with the release of private text messages between Sharpe and the woman—some of which reference boundaries and consent—have fueled the backlash.
His legal team responded by releasing those texts in a public statement.
One message shows the woman telling him, “no means no.”
Sharpe’s team has argued that the texts show mutual interest and consensual interactions, but the move to make those messages public has also raised eyebrows.
Still Working, But Under a Cloud
Until his announcement to step back, Sharpe had continued with his regular ESPN appearances.
His absence on Wednesday was reportedly already part of his planned schedule.
However, questions are mounting about whether he’ll continue to appear at events like the upcoming NFL Draft in Green Bay, where he previously announced plans to host interviews with football legends and top draft picks.
Stephen A. Smith Weighs In and Keeps His Distance
Sharpe’s on-air partner and longtime ESPN heavyweight Stephen A. Smith has started to address the issue in a more public way.
On his personal YouTube channel, Smith expressed support for Sharpe’s right to defend himself but also admitted discomfort with how the legal team released the accuser’s name and explicit messages.
“I understand why Shannon is going on the offensive,” Smith said.
“But I don’t know if sharing those messages publicly is a smart strategy.”
He also noted that while they spoke, Sharpe remains steadfast in proclaiming his innocence.
An Old Clip Adds More Fuel to the Fire
Adding to the media frenzy, a past clip resurfaced from Sharpe’s YouTube podcast “Nightcap,” in which he casually boasts about a possible intimate encounter with an OnlyFans model named Sky Bri.
While the model mentioned has no connection to the rape lawsuit, the clip has gone viral and sparked additional scrutiny about Sharpe’s behavior and public persona.
What Happens Next?
As of now, Shannon Sharpe has not confirmed whether he’ll still appear at the NFL Draft, and his legal team has yet to issue a new comment following the online buzz.
DailyMail.com reports that attempts to contact Sky Bri were unsuccessful, and Sharpe’s representatives did not respond to fresh inquiries as of Thursday.
This story is far from over, and many in the sports and media worlds are closely watching how it all unfolds—both legally and professionally.