Shannon Sharpe Is Out At ESPN Following Lawsuit Settlement
Shannon Sharpe is officially done at ESPN.
According to Andrew Marchand of The Athletic, the network has cut ties with the Hall of Fame tight end just weeks after he quietly settled a high-profile civil lawsuit that accused him of sexual assault.
While Sharpe had previously stepped away from his role on “First Take,” telling fans he’d return in time for the 2025 NFL season, that comeback is no longer happening.
He hasn’t appeared on the network since April.
Related: Shannon Sharpe Stepping Aside From ESPN Amid Civil Lawsuit
Lawsuit Settlement May Have Sealed His Fate
The news of Sharpe’s exit comes on the heels of his legal team confirming that he reached a settlement with Gabriella Zuniga, the woman who filed a $50 million civil lawsuit against him earlier this year.
Her attorney, Tony Buzbee, announced the settlement in early July, stating that it followed “lengthy and respectful negotiations” and that the case was being dismissed with prejudice.
That means it’s closed for good and can’t be refiled—but it appears the damage to Sharpe’s ESPN relationship was already done.
Related: Shannon Sharpe’s $50M Civil Rape Lawsuit Settled & Dismissed With Prejudice
A Look Back At The Allegations
The lawsuit, filed in Clark County, Nevada, alleged that Shannon Sharpe engaged in multiple non-consensual sexual encounters with Zuniga during a relationship that began in 2023.
At the time, Sharpe was 54 and Zuniga was 20.
She accused him of sexual assault, battery, and emotional distress stemming from incidents in her Las Vegas apartment.
Sharpe denied the claims and, according to his attorney Lanny J. Davis, offered Zuniga “at least $10 million” to settle the case during mediation.
That offer was initially declined.
After months of negotiations, a confidential agreement was reached, and both sides moved on—at least legally.
Gabriella Zuniga Retires From OnlyFans
Interestingly, less than 24 hours after the settlement was announced, Zuniga posted on Instagram that she was retiring from OnlyFans, where she had reportedly been earning six figures monthly.
Her sudden departure from the platform sparked online buzz that she’d cashed in on the “Shay Shay Pension Plan.”
Though the settlement amount was never publicly disclosed, her exit from the adult content platform fueled speculation that the payout was substantial.
Related: Gabriella Zuniga Retires From OnlyFans After Shannon Sharpe Lawsuit Settlement
Social Media Reacts To Shannon Sharpe’s ESPN Exit
Once news broke that Shannon Sharpe would not be returning to ESPN, social media lit up with mixed reactions.
Read a few tweets below.
Regardless of where folks stand, the headlines—and the hashtags—aren’t slowing down anytime soon.
Sharpe Still Has Club Shay Shay And Nightcap
While his run on ESPN may be over, Shannon Sharpe still has two major platforms in motion—Club Shay Shay and Nightcap. Both shows continue to attract big-name guests and loyal audiences.
But for now, it looks like Sharpe’s days of sparring with Stephen A. Smith on First Take are officially a wrap.
Dang, Unc!
ESPN hasn’t released an official statement on Sharpe’s departure, but the timing is clear: after months off the air, a confidential lawsuit settlement, and mounting pressure behind the scenes, the network has decided to move on.
Sharpe may have built one of the most successful second acts in sports media, but this chapter at ESPN has come to an abrupt—and controversial—end.
💬 What’s your take on Shannon Sharpe’s departure from ESPN? Drop your thoughts in the comments.
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