Prominent Football Hall of Famer, Shannon Sharpe, departs from ESPN following a legal settlement over allegations of sexual assault and battery.
Shannon Sharpe Settles $50 Million Lawsuit Over Sexual Assault Allegations
In a significant turn of events, former NFL star and ESPN personality Shannon Sharpe has reached a settlement in a civil lawsuit filed against him for alleged rape and sexual assault. The lawsuit, which involved claims of sexual assault, battery, and emotional distress, was settled in July 2025, effectively ending the legal dispute [1][2][3].
The accuser, Gabriella Zuniga, claimed that Sharpe engaged in non-consensual sexual encounters in her Las Vegas apartment between late 2024 and early 2025. Sharpe has consistently denied these allegations, stating that the encounters were consensual [3].
The exact terms of the settlement have not been made public. However, the lawsuit originally sought compensatory and punitive damages exceeding $50 million [2].
In the wake of the lawsuit, Sharpe temporarily stepped away from his role on ESPN's "First Take" in April 2025 and postponed a planned podcast tour [1][2]. Following the settlement, ESPN severed ties with Sharpe, marking the end of his tenure with the network.
Sharpe, who was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2011, has had a successful career both on the field and in the broadcasting world. After retiring from football, he went on to host the popular "Club Shay Shay" podcast.
In April, Sharpe released a video addressing the allegations, stating that they were a "shakedown" and that he would be open and transparent in defending himself [1]. His legal representative, Lanny Davis, had previously indicated intentions to file counterclaims before the settlement was reached [2].
After the settlement, Zuniga announced her retirement from her OnlyFans platform, suggesting personal changes following the resolution of the lawsuit [2].
Despite the settlement, it is unclear if the victim contacted the police during or after the alleged assaults. ESPN has declined to comment on the settlement and the current status of Sharpe's role on the network.
References: [1] The Athletic. (2025, July 1). Shannon Sharpe settles $50 million lawsuit over sexual assault allegations. Retrieved from https://theathletic.com/2933739/2025/07/01/shannon-sharpe-settles-50-million-lawsuit-over-sexual-assault-allegations/
[2] TMZ. (2025, July 1). Shannon Sharpe Settles $50 Million Lawsuit Over Sexual Assault Allegations. Retrieved from https://www.tmz.com/2025/07/01/shannon-sharpe-settles-50-million-lawsuit-over-sexual-assault-allegations/
[3] USA Today. (2025, April 1). Shannon Sharpe addresses sexual assault allegations in new video. Retrieved from https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/2025/04/01/shannon-sharpe-addresses-sexual-assault-allegations-new-video/7072207002/
- The settlement of the $50 million lawsuit against Shannon Sharpe, a former NFL player and sports broadcaster, marked an end to a prominent general-news story involving allegations of sexual assault and battery.
- Despite the resolution of the legal dispute, the specific details of the settlement agreement remain confidential, though it was initially reported that the lawsuit sought compensatory and punitive damages reaching over $50 million.
- In addition to his success in American football and sports broadcasting, Shannon Sharpe has also been involved in crime-and-justice matters, as he faced and settled a significant sexual assault lawsuit in July 2025.
