Shannon Sharpe's Days At ESPN Are Over After $50M Rape Lawsuit, Ex-Presenter Claims

A former ESPN employee has spoken candidly about the possibility of Shannon Sharpe returning to his role at the network in the near future.

The NFL Hall of Famer is currently embroiled in a $50 million rape lawsuit filed against him by a Jane Doe.

Shannon Sharpe stepped away from his role amid the scandal, but his prolonged absence has continued to raise questions about whether he will return, especially with the new NFL season fast approaching.

Ahead of the new NFL season's opening date, speculation has risen as to whether Sharpe will return to his key role on ESPN's morning sports debate show, "First Take."

The "Club Shay Shay" host had taken a break from the after being hit with a $50 million rape lawsuit, but still remains under his multi-year contract with the network which he renewed the previous year.

However, according to former ESPN employee Dan Le Batard, the network's decision not to terminate Sharpe's contract amid the scandal doesn't mean they intend to allow him to return.

"We probably all know at this point that Shannon Sharpe is not likely to ever work at ESPN again, right? I think we can reasonably assume Shannon Sharpe would like it to look like he has a chance to return," he said on "The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz," per the Daily Mail.

"I don't know if you can be Disney and allow any of what happened there," Le Batard added.

In April, Sharpe was hit with a $50 million civil lawsuit from "Jane Doe," in which she accused the former NFL star of assault, sexual assault, battery, and sexual battery.

The alleged victim claimed she had a nearly two-year relationship with the 56-year-old, which began after meeting him at a gym in Los Angeles, California, when she was just 19.

According to Jane Doe, Sharpe "often manipulated her—at times being sweet and loving to get what he wanted, and at other times being angry and aggressive to achieve his goals."

Over time, she claimed to have discovered that he was "extremely emotional and possessed an uncontrollable temper."

The accuser also said that Sharpe "displayed the characteristics of a true narcissist," who "wielded his power, his influence, and his celebrity to control" her and get whatever he wanted, whenever he wanted it.

In her suit, Jane Doe detailed several instances where Sharpe allegedly forced her to engage in non-consensual sex.

One such incident reportedly occurred on October 6, 2024, after they had an argument at the gym over his alleged cheating.

According to the accuser, Sharpe forced her into his car, drove her to her apartment, and made her perform oral sex on him, claiming she had "disrespected" him.

He then allegedly raped her anally, after lewdly saying, "I'm going to punish this a-shole… to make it so no man will want you again."

On January 2, 2025, Sharpe reportedly assaulted her in a similar manner after telling her he wanted to see her and give her a combined Christmas and birthday gift.

During the assault, he allegedly did not use a condom, despite Jane Doe's pleas. The encounter reportedly lasted about 10 minutes, ending when Sharpe ejaculated inside her.

In the wake of the lawsuit,  Sharpe released a statement through his attorney, Lanny J. Davis. In the statement, he denied all of the allegations and slammed the matter as blackmail.

"Mr. Sharpe categorically denies all allegations of coercion or misconduct — especially the gross lie of 'rape' — and will not submit to what he sees as an egregious attempt at blackmail," Sharpe's attorney said. "He stands firmly by the truth and is prepared to fight these false claims vigorously in court."

The statement also painted Sharpe's relationship with Jane Doe as a "consensual" one and that it involved "role-playing, sexual language, and fantasy scenarios."

After denying the accusations made against him, Sharpe, via his legal team, released multiple x-rated texts between him and Jane Doe to back up his claims.

According to the New York Post, in one of the texts, Jane Doe allegedly asked for" some hardcore bdsm action" as she was "feeling kinda freaky lately."

Another alleged message from Jane Doe contained a request to Sharpe to "put a dog collar" around her neck, "choke her with it" while "f-cking" her.

Texas-based attorney Tony Buzbee, who represents Jane Doe, has since called out Sharpe and his legal team for releasing the text messages.

"Every text that Mr. Sharpe's counsel released today purportedly from Jane Doe are dated PRIOR to the alleged brutal assault set forth in Jane Doe's case," Buzbee said in a statement.

He continued, "Those texts were obviously released in an effort to distract the public's attention from the allegations in Jane Doe's lawsuit. It won't work."