Shannon Sharpe's Previous Sex Assault Allegation Resurfaces Amid $10 Million Drama In Rape Battle

Talk about a blast from the past; Shannon Sharpe doesn't seem like he will catch a break anytime soon.

The former athlete now has one more problem to worry about: a past sexual assault allegation from another woman comes to the fore.

Shannon Sharpe is currently battling a $50 million lawsuit from a Jane Doe, later identified as Gabi Zunigar, who accused him of repeated sexual assault in the past.

The TV star's life is currently under the microscope, and a past sexual assault complaint attached to a defamation lawsuit has become a hot topic. The lawsuit was filed by Michele Evans, who sued him for defamation and claimed that he sexually assaulted her in 2010. 

The lawsuit was lodged in New York in 2023 and now bears similarity to the following a separate allegation made by another woman, referred to as Jane Doe, who recently accused Sharpe of rape in Nevada.

In her complaint, which Evans is handling on her own, she stated that she was in a nearly ten-year relationship with Sharpe that ended in 2010 after they had a dispute regarding his alleged infidelity.

Evans contended that during this argument, Sharpe forced her into a non-consensual sexual encounter, which she detailed as including both oral and vaginal penetration, despite her protests.

According to PEOPLE, she claimed Sharpe threatened her during the assault, suggesting his aim was to ensure that "no other man would want her."

While Evans is not pursuing a lawsuit against Sharpe for sexual assault, she has accused him of threatening to damage her reputation. 

The athlete allegedly lived up to the promise, which she claims has resulted in defamatory media coverage that undermined her professional standing. 

In response to the damning allegations made by Evans, a representative for Sharpe stated that her claims are "ridiculous and completely without merit." The civil case initiated by Evans is still in progress, but a judge has denied her request for an order of protection.

The former athlete, now embroiled in a lawsuit filed by an unnamed plaintiff, has had his attorney clarify the situation. The Blast noted that Sharpe, through Mitchell Schuster, his attorney, expressed concerns about the nature of such accusations like Evans' surrounding public figures.

He noted that it is not uncommon for people to come forward with claims that often lack credibility, driven by a desire to profit from their connection to the famous individual.

Schuster described many of these stories as exaggerated or misrepresented, often shared without a commitment to the truth, whether through social media or by leaking information to reporters.

"This is exactly what is happening to Shannon Sharpe and the resurrection of the case involving Michele Evans is a perfect example. Sadly, Ms. Evans became obsessed with Shannon and decided to manufacture a claim against him," Schuster noted.

The attorney noted that when Evans "could not find a lawyer to pursue her outrageous story, she filed a civil complaint on her own that is completely devoid of merit."

He noted that his client had not contacted Evans for many years, adding that she is still on probation after serving 3 years in prison for trying to kill her husband so that she could hopefully pursue a relationship with Shannon.

Sharpe's current accuser, through her lawyer Tony Buzbee, released alleged recordings that included Sharpe threatening her physically. 

Following the allegations and provision of evidence, Sharpe had proposed a settlement of at least $10 million to Zuniga. However, his legal team clarified that this offer did not signify any admission of guilt. 

Schuster later characterized Sharpe's interactions with Zuniga as a "consensual, sexual relationship" lasting over two years. Schuster claimed that after Sharpe declined to have a child with Zuniga, she resorted to extortion.

In response, the retired athlete offered a substantial offer of about $10 million to Zuniga in order to prevent unwanted revelations about his personal life. As time progressed, however, Sharpe's legal team indicated that he would no longer pursue a settlement.

Since the allegation broke out, Sharpe, who co-hosts one of the most popular sports talk shows, "First Take" alongside Stephen A. Smith, has been absent from the network.

The Blast shared that on April 24, 2025, he shared an update on X, informing his followers that the situation surrounding his relationship with an adult woman in her early 20s led him to step back from his duties at ESPN temporarily.

In his post, Sharpe clarified that the relationship in question was entirely consensual and stated that he would be focusing on supporting his family and addressing what he described as false allegations against him. 

Despite this setback, Sharpe expressed his intention to return to "First Take" before the summer ends, thanking his family, friends, colleagues, and fans for their overwhelming support.

Shannon Sharpe surely has his hands full at the moment. What step is he taking next?