Just weeks after reaching a confidential settlement in a $50 million sexual assault lawsuit, former NFL star and media personality Shannon Sharpe is officially out at ESPN—and the timing, he says, couldn’t be worse.

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On his podcast “Nightcap”, the 56-year-old three-time Super Bowl champion revealed he was informed earlier this week that he was being let go from his role as one of the leading voices on ESPN’s “First Take”, a move he asked the network to delay until after this weekend.

My brother’s going into the Hall of Fame… I wanted it to be about him,” Sharpe said, referring to his younger sibling Sterling Sharpe, who is set to be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame on Saturday.

“I profusely apologized to him. He called me his hero, his role model. That meant more to me than anything ESPN could’ve ever done.

Sharpe expressed “peace” with the decision but disappointment at its public timing, fearing it would steal the spotlight from one of the most significant moments in his family’s life.

A Sudden End to a High-Profile Media Chapter

Sharpe, who had only recently inked a multi-year deal with ESPN in June 2024, had become a staple on the popular morning debate show “First Take” alongside Stephen A. Smith.

His fiery commentary, sports insight, and viral podcast moments helped reshape ESPN’s morning content. Now, just a year after joining the network full-time, he’s out—abruptly, and amid controversy.

The $50 Million Lawsuit and a “Shakedown” Allegation

Sharpe’s departure follows his settlement with a Jane Doe, who accused him of sexual assault, battery, and coercive behavior during a nearly two-year relationship that began in 2023 when she was just 20 years old.

The lawsuit, filed in Las Vegas, alleged that Sharpe “violently sexually assaulted” the woman on multiple occasions in 2024 and 2025, describing harrowing accounts of rape and abuse despite her clear resistance and pleas to stop.

Sharpe denied all accusations, calling the civil suit a “shakedown” and accusing the plaintiff of attempting to extort him.

“I’m going to be open, transparent, and defend myself. Because this isn’t right,” he said in an April video posted on his

His legal team, led by attorney Lanny J. Davis, maintained that the relationship was consensual and sexually initiated by the plaintiff. The terms of the settlement remain undisclosed, and Sharpe has declined to comment further.

From Tight End Legend to Media Star—Then Back in the Headlines

Drafted by the Denver Broncos in 1990, Shannon Sharpe retired in 2003 as the NFL’s all-time leader in receptions, yards, and touchdowns by a tight end. He later earned induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2011.

Beyond the field, he built a massive following with his “Club Shay Shay” podcast and transitioned into TV punditry—first with Fox Sports’ “Undisputed”, and then ESPN.

Yet despite his meteoric post-football rise, Sharpe’s legacy now faces a storm of public scrutiny. His voice, once synonymous with sports wisdom and viral one-liners, is now part of a broader cultural conversation about consent, power, and accountability.

What’s Next for Shannon Sharpe?

As of now, ESPN has not commented publicly on Sharpe’s departure. Their last public statement came in April, when they supported Sharpe’s decision to temporarily step away from “First Take” amid the lawsuit.

This is a serious situation, and we agree with Shannon’s decision to step away,” the network had said at the time.

Whether Sharpe returns to mainstream media, continues independently via podcasting, or steps back entirely, remains uncertain. But what’s clear is that a media giant’s future is now intertwined with legal controversy, family legacy, and public reputation.

And for Sterling Sharpe, who finally receives his long-awaited Hall of Fame honor, the hope remains that this weekend is remembered not for headlines—but for history.