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ESPN’s Shannon Sharpe Settles $50 Million Rape Lawsuit

Jul 18, 2025 6:21 PM EDT

Baltimore Ravens Hall of Fame tight end Shannon Sharpe was riding high on ESPN and and on his podcast, which was to be the centerpiece of a summer tour.

But he’s been on hiatus from the network and the tour for his popular Nightcap podcast with former NFL receiver Chad Johnson was on hold.

And why? That $50 million civil suit charging the Pro Football Hall of Famer and media personality with rape, sexual assault and battery.

But on Friday, a resolution …

Tony Buzbee, the attorney for the woman identified as “Jane Doe” in the lawsuit, announced that the sides reached an agreed and the case would be dismissed.

“On April 20, 2025, The Buzbee Law Firm filed a complaint in Nevada making several allegations against Shannon Sharpe on behalf of our client,” Buzbee said in a statement on X. “Both sides acknowledge a long-term consensual and tumultuous relationship. After protracted and respectful negotiations, I’m pleased to announce that we have reached a mutually agreed upon resolution. All matters have now been addressed satisfactorily, and the matter is closed. The lawsuit will thus be dismissed with prejudice.”

Notably, at one point the lawyer for Sharpe – a Baltimore Ravens icon – said in the wake of the accuser’s filing of the civil complaint that Sharpe offered “at least $10 million” to settle the case.

The complaint, filed in a Nevada state court, alleged the legendary NFL star committed assault, sexual assault, battery and sexual battery, and engaged in the intentional infliction of emotions distress during a ‘rocky consensual relationship’ that lasted nearly two years with a woman more than 30 years younger than him.”

In denying the allegations, Sharpe had said, “My statement is found here and this is the truth. The relationship in question was 100% consensual. At this juncture I am electing to step aside temporarily from my ESPN duties. I will be devoting this time to my family, and responding and dealing with these false and disruptive allegations set against me.

“I plan to return to ESPN at the start of the NFL preseason. I sincerely appreciate the overwhelming and ongoing support I have received from my family, fans, friends and colleagues.”

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Mike Fisher

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