Shannon Sharpe will not return to ESPN or its show First Take, sources confirm to Deadline, news that comes after he settled a $50 million lawsuit earlier this month by a Jane Doe accusing him of rape.
Sharpe had not been on the show since late April, after news of the civil suit was made public. The NFL Hall of Famer and three-time Super Bowl champion, who has continued to host his Club Shay Shay podcast, had said he was electing to “temporarily step aside” from ESPN until the “start of the NFL preseason,” which starts next week.
It’s unclear who made the decision to part ways, Sharpe or the ABC-owned sports network. The Atlantic, which first reported the news today, said ESPN had cut ties.
ESPN declined comment. Deadline reached out to Sharpe’s reps and lawyers for comment but has not heard back.
The lawsuit, filed in Nevada on April 20, claimed Sharpe sexually assaulted Jane Doe on multiple occasions during a relationship that started in a Los Angeles gym in 2023. It alleged assault, sexual assault, battery and sexual battery, as well as intentional infliction of emotional distress.
The Jane Doe was represented by Houston-based Tony Buzbee, who is behind dozens of assault and abuse lawsuits against Sean “Diddy” Combs. Buzbee wrote on X on July 18 that the suit was dismissed after “both sides acknowledge a long-term consensual and tumultuous relationship.
“All matters have now been addressed satisfactorily, and the matter is closed. The lawsuit will thus be dismissed with prejudice,” he said.
First Take, which features Stephen A. Smith and host Molly Qerim, airs at 10 a.m. weekdays on ESPN.
Denise Petski contributed to this report.
