{"id":44819,"date":"2025-04-29T01:49:19","date_gmt":"2025-04-29T01:49:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/usatoday.azontree.com\/?p=44819"},"modified":"2025-04-29T01:49:19","modified_gmt":"2025-04-29T01:49:19","slug":"shannon-sharpe-is-off-espn-amid-50-million-sexual-assault-investigation","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/usatoday.azontree.com\/?p=44819","title":{"rendered":"Shannon Sharpe Is Off ESPN Amid $50 Million Sexual Assault Investigation"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"m-detail-header--dek\">\u201cI 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.\u201d &#8211; Shannon Sharpe.<\/div>\n<div class=\"m-detail-header--flexbox\">\n<div class=\"m-detail-header--meta\">\n<div class=\"m-description--list\">\n<p>ESPN star\u00a0Shannon Sharpe\u00a0was recently celebrating the news that his podcast business was so booming that he was in receipt of a $100 million business deal.<\/p>\n<p>But the celebration was short-lived as he in the next breath announced that he is stepping away from television as he defends himself against a sexual assault accusation.<\/p>\n<p>The $50 million lawsuit stems from a relationship Sharpe, 56, had with a 19-year-old woman; a tryst Sharpe claims was entirely consensual.<\/p>\n<aside class=\"m-in-content-ad-row l-inline mm-in-content-ad-row--in-content not-size-a not-size-b not-size-d\" data-ad-group=\"in_content-0\">\n<div class=\"m-in-content-ad not-size-a not-size-b not-size-d\" data-ad-group=\"in_content-0\" data-zone-count=\"4\">\n<div class=\"not-size-a not-size-b not-size-d m-in-content-ad is-loaded\">\n<div id=\"ad-in_content-ec4b1bccf6214d00a0aaaa5b379bda73\" data-google-query-id=\"COmRzI6P_IwDFTpqDwIdJwAN4Q\" data-ad-size=\"300x250\">\n<div id=\"google_ads_iframe_\/88059007\/athlonsports.com\/nfl_2__container__\"><iframe id=\"google_ads_iframe_\/88059007\/athlonsports.com\/nfl_2\" tabindex=\"0\" title=\"3rd party ad content\" name=\"google_ads_iframe_\/88059007\/athlonsports.com\/nfl_2\" width=\"300\" height=\"250\" frameborder=\"0\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\" aria-label=\"Advertisement\" data-load-complete=\"true\" data-google-container-id=\"2\" data-rhp=\"1\"><\/iframe><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p>\u201cMy statement is found here and this is the truth,\u201d his post began. \u201cThe relationship in question was 100% consensual.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cAt this juncture I am electing to step aside temporarily from my ESPN duties.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI 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\u00a0NFL\u00a0preseason.\u201d<\/p>\n<aside class=\"m-in-content-ad-row l-inline mm-in-content-ad-row--in-content not-size-a not-size-b not-size-d\" data-ad-group=\"in_content-1\">\n<div class=\"m-in-content-ad not-size-a not-size-b not-size-d\" data-ad-group=\"in_content-1\" data-zone-count=\"4\">\n<div class=\"not-size-a not-size-b not-size-d m-in-content-ad is-loaded\">\n<div id=\"ad-in_content-41ff08c0425a4ccb8d38ee5174fb4a33\" data-google-query-id=\"CLr545CP_IwDFcRWDwIdAh4sXg\" data-ad-size=\"300x250\">\n<div id=\"google_ads_iframe_\/88059007\/athlonsports.com\/nfl_6__container__\"><iframe id=\"google_ads_iframe_\/88059007\/athlonsports.com\/nfl_6\" tabindex=\"0\" title=\"3rd party ad content\" name=\"google_ads_iframe_\/88059007\/athlonsports.com\/nfl_6\" width=\"300\" height=\"250\" frameborder=\"0\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\" aria-label=\"Advertisement\" data-load-complete=\"true\" data-google-container-id=\"7\"><\/iframe><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p>ESPN, which aired Sharpe on \u201cFirst Take\u201d Monday and Tuesday, quickly confirmed his decision.<\/p>\n<p>ESPN responded to the former\u00a0Baltimore Ravens\u00a0tight end&#8217;s circumstance.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThis is a serious situation, and we agree with Shannon\u2019s decision to step away,\u201d they said, via\u00a0Front Office Sports.<\/p>\n<p>This isn\u2019t Sharpe\u2019s first time facing troubling allegations. According to FOS, Sharpe was accused of sexual assault in 2010 while with CBS.<\/p>\n<aside class=\"m-in-content-ad-row l-inline mm-in-content-ad-row--in-content not-size-a not-size-b not-size-d\" data-ad-group=\"in_content-2\">\n<div class=\"m-in-content-ad not-size-a not-size-b not-size-d\" data-ad-group=\"in_content-2\" data-zone-count=\"4\">\n<div class=\"not-size-a not-size-b not-size-d m-in-content-ad is-loaded\">\n<div id=\"ad-in_content-fb9401e58e174b1290eec92206bdc8bb\" data-google-query-id=\"CLv545CP_IwDFcRWDwIdAh4sXg\" data-ad-size=\"0x0\">\n<div id=\"google_ads_iframe_\/88059007\/athlonsports.com\/nfl_7__container__\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" id=\"google_ads_iframe_\/88059007\/athlonsports.com\/nfl_7\" tabindex=\"0\" title=\"3rd party ad content\" src=\"https:\/\/a482bb51633f64fe99220ca83d8cf201.safeframe.googlesyndication.com\/safeframe\/1-0-41\/html\/container.html\" name=\"\" width=\"0\" height=\"173\" frameborder=\"0\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\" sandbox=\"allow-forms allow-popups allow-popups-to-escape-sandbox allow-same-origin allow-scripts allow-top-navigation-by-user-activation\" data-is-safeframe=\"true\" aria-label=\"Advertisement\" data-google-container-id=\"8\" data-load-complete=\"true\"><\/iframe><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p>During his time with Fox Sports, he eventually settled an accusation of choking a woman who was a production assistant on \u201cUndisputed\u201d for six figures, although a lawsuit was not filed and the official number was not released.<\/p>\n<p>Sharpe spent two seasons with the Ravens, winning a\u00a0Super Bowl\u00a0in 2000 and making the Pro Bowl in 2001. He totaled 140 catches for 1,621 yards and seven touchdowns in that span.<\/p>\n<aside class=\"m-in-content-ad-row l-inline mm-in-content-ad-row--in-content not-size-a not-size-b not-size-d\" data-ad-group=\"in_content-3\">\n<div class=\"m-in-content-ad not-size-a not-size-b not-size-d\" data-ad-group=\"in_content-3\" data-zone-count=\"4\">\n<div class=\"not-size-a not-size-b not-size-d m-in-content-ad is-loaded\">\n<div id=\"ad-in_content-973e036a38a74d4ab11a588f2df93802\" data-google-query-id=\"CLz545CP_IwDFcRWDwIdAh4sXg\" data-ad-size=\"300x134\">\n<div id=\"google_ads_iframe_\/88059007\/athlonsports.com\/nfl_8__container__\"><iframe id=\"google_ads_iframe_\/88059007\/athlonsports.com\/nfl_8\" tabindex=\"0\" title=\"3rd party ad content\" name=\"google_ads_iframe_\/88059007\/athlonsports.com\/nfl_8\" width=\"300\" height=\"134\" frameborder=\"0\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\" aria-label=\"Advertisement\" data-load-complete=\"true\" data-google-container-id=\"9\"><\/iframe><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p>The ordeal comes just months removed from Ravens kicker Justin Tucker being accused by several Baltimore-area massage therapists of sexual misconduct.<\/p>\n<p>Sharpe maintains that his case is a matter of blackmail. At least for now, he won\u2019t be addressing this or any other topics on ESPN\u2019s airwaves.<\/p>\n<div class=\"ksc-container ksc-infeed\">\n<div class=\"ksc-infeed-ab\">\n<div id=\"rh-gam-kso_2517044480449FZksJVTwRJds52_ei_infeed-sizer\" class=\"rh-gam-unit-sizer\" data-auction-id=\"kso_2517044480449FZksJVTwRJds52_ei_infeed\">\n<div id=\"rh-gam-kso_2517044480449FZksJVTwRJds52_ei_infeed\" class=\"rh-gam-unit\" data-auction-id=\"kso_2517044480449FZksJVTwRJds52_ei_infeed\">\n<div id=\"google_ads_iframe_\/22558409563,88059007\/Athlonsports.com_In-Article_Desktop_ESP_0__container__\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"mm-embed-card--list\">\n<div class=\"m-card--media\"><a class=\"m-card--image-link\" tabindex=\"-1\" href=\"https:\/\/athlonsports.com\/nfl\/baltimore-ravens\/baltimore-ravens-tracker-update-partner-kyle-hamilton-malaki-starks-draft\" rel=\"\"><picture class=\"is-loaded\"><source srcset=\"https:\/\/athlonsports.com\/.image\/ar_16:9%2Cc_fill%2Ccs_srgb%2Cg_faces:center%2Cq_auto:good%2Cw_220\/MjEyOTk4ODY0OTAxMjUyNzM2\/usatsi_24229048.webp 220w, https:\/\/athlonsports.com\/.image\/ar_16:9%2Cc_fill%2Ccs_srgb%2Cg_faces:center%2Cq_auto:good%2Cw_320\/MjEyOTk4ODY0OTAxMjUyNzM2\/usatsi_24229048.webp 320w, https:\/\/athlonsports.com\/.image\/ar_16:9%2Cc_fill%2Ccs_srgb%2Cg_faces:center%2Cq_auto:good%2Cw_640\/MjEyOTk4ODY0OTAxMjUyNzM2\/usatsi_24229048.webp 640w\" type=\"image\/webp\" sizes=\"220px\" \/><source srcset=\"https:\/\/athlonsports.com\/.image\/ar_16:9%2Cc_fill%2Ccs_srgb%2Cg_faces:center%2Cq_auto:good%2Cw_220\/MjEyOTk4ODY0OTAxMjUyNzM2\/usatsi_24229048.jpg 220w, https:\/\/athlonsports.com\/.image\/ar_16:9%2Cc_fill%2Ccs_srgb%2Cfl_progressive%2Cg_faces:center%2Cq_auto:good%2Cw_320\/MjEyOTk4ODY0OTAxMjUyNzM2\/usatsi_24229048.jpg 320w, https:\/\/athlonsports.com\/.image\/ar_16:9%2Cc_fill%2Ccs_srgb%2Cfl_progressive%2Cg_faces:center%2Cq_auto:good%2Cw_640\/MjEyOTk4ODY0OTAxMjUyNzM2\/usatsi_24229048.jpg 640w\" sizes=\"220px\" \/><\/picture><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>\u201cI 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&#8230; <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-44819","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-nfl"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v23.8 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Shannon Sharpe Is Off ESPN Amid $50 Million Sexual Assault Investigation - 24\/7 News America<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/usatoday.azontree.com\/?p=44819\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Shannon Sharpe Is Off ESPN Amid $50 Million Sexual Assault Investigation - 24\/7 News America\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"\u201cI will be devoting this time to my family, and responding and dealing with these false and disruptive allegations set against me. 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