Shannon Sharpe temporarily steps away from ESPN | College News

Shannon Sharpe introduced Thursday that he has determined to temporarily step away from his ESPN duties, 4 days after a girl filed a $50-million civil lawsuit during which she accuses the “First Take” panelist of raping her whereas they have been in a two-year relationship.

The lawsuit, filed Sunday in Clark County, Nev., seeks damages for claims of assault, sexual assault, battery, sexual battery and intentional infliction of emotional misery whereas alleging a number of nonconsensual sexual encounters in her Las Vegas condominium between October and January.

“The relationship in question was 100% consensual,” Sharpe wrote in a assertion posted on his X and Instagram accounts Thursday, hours earlier than the beginning of the NFL draft. “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 season.”

An ESPN spokesperson stated in a assertion emailed to The Times that “this is a serious situation, and we agree with Shannon’s decision to step away.”

Sharpe, a Pro Football Hall of Fame tight finish, first addressed the allegations Tuesday in a video posted on Instagram, during which he known as the lawsuit “a shakedown.” Lawyers for either side have acknowledged that Sharpe provided no less than $10 million to settle the case in mediation earlier than the lawsuit was filed, however the accuser declined the offer.

Sharpe, 56, first appeared on “First Take” in August 2023, two months after his seven-year run as a co-host on FS1’s “Undisputed” with Skip Bayless got here to an finish. In June 2024, Sharpe signed a multiyear contract with ESPN that expanded his function on “First Take” and different exhibits on ESPN as effectively.

“Being a part of this family has been a blessing,” Sharpe stated on the time. “Everything about this relationship with ESPN, Stephen A. [Smith], and ‘First Take,’ has been tremendous. I look forward to expanding my role and showing more of the world what I have to offer.”

In September, Sharpe was concerned in an incident during which he claims he by chance livestreamed audio of himself having intercourse on Instagram Live. Sharpe was not publicly disciplined by ESPN.

Sharpe is also a profitable podcaster, internet hosting exhibits equivalent to “Club Shay Shay” and “Nightcap.” On Friday, Front Office Sports reported that Sharpe’s media deal with the Volume podcast community expired and Sharpe “has received multiple offers and is expected to sign a deal that would exceed $100 million.”