News
Sharpe Fired From ESPN After $50 Million Lawsuit
Shannon Sharpe, the Hall of Fame NFL tight end and prominent ESPN commentator, was fired from ESPN in late July 2025—just days after settling a high-profile $50 million lawsuit alleging sexual assault and battery brought by an ex-girlfriend. The lawsuit, filed earlier in 2025, accused Sharpe of assaulting the woman on two occasions between October 2024 and January 2025, as well as recording their interactions without her consent and causing emotional distress. Sharpe consistently denied the accusations, describing them as an attempted “shakedown,” and no criminal charges were filed against him. The details of the settlement have not been made public.
Sharpe had been absent from ESPN programming, including his high-profile spot on “First Take,” since the lawsuit was filed in April 2025. Despite his requests, the network announced his firing days before his brother Sterling Sharpe’s Hall of Fame induction. Shannon Sharpe said he was “at peace” with the decision but disappointed that the news could overshadow this milestone for his family.
ESPN has not made a public statement providing further details on the split. The decision comes after months of speculation and significant negative publicity stemming from the lawsuit and its settlement, making Sharpe’s continued role at the network untenable, despite his public denials and the absence of criminal proceedings.
