Shannon Sharpe Announced Thursday that he had decided to temporarily move away from her functions of ESPN, four days after a woman brought a civil action of $ 50 million in which she accuses the panelist of the “first catch” of raping her when they were in a two -year relationship.
The prosecution, filed Sunday in the County of Clark, nev., Request damages for claim of assault, sexual assault, battery, blows and intentional infliction of emotional distress while alleging multiple non-consensual sexual meetings in his apartment in Las Vegas between October and January.
“The relationship in question was 100% consensual,” Sharpe wrote in a statement published on his accounts X and Instagram on Thursday, a few hours before the start of the NFL draft. “At this stage I choose to temporarily withdraw from my espn tasks.
“I will devote this time to my family, and answer and face these false and disturbing allegations against me. I plan to return to ESPN at the start of the NFL season. ”
An ESPN spokesman said in a statement sent by email to the Times that “this is a serious situation, and we agree with Shannon's decision to move away from us”.
Sharpe, A temple of professional football renownedFirst discussed the allegations on Tuesday in a video published on Instagram, in which he called the “A Shakedown” trial. The lawyers of the two parties acknowledged that Sharpe offered at least $ 10 million to settle the case in mediation before filing the trial, but the accuser refused the offer.
Sharpe, 56, appeared for the first time on “First catch“In August 2023, two months after his seven-year race as co-host on FS1”Undisputed” with Jump bayless finished at its end. In June 2024, Sharpe signed a multi -year contract with ESPN which also expanded its role on “First Take” and other emissions on ESPN.
“Being part of this family was a blessing”, ” Sharpe said at the time. “Everything about this relationship with ESPN, Stephen A. (Smith)And “first catch” was great. I can't wait to expand my role and show more people that I have to offer. »»
In September, Sharpe was involved in an incident during which he claims that he accidentally studied audio studies live on Instagram Live. Sharpe was not publicly disciplined by ESPN.
Sharpe is also a successful podcaster, organizing shows such as “Club Shay Shay” and “Nightcap”. Friday, Front Office Sports said that the agreement with the Sharpe media with the volume podcast network expired and that Sharpe “has received several offers and should sign an agreement that would exceed $ 100 million”.
