A $50M Civil Lawsuit Against Shannon Sharpe Has Been Quietly Resolved
A high-profile lawsuit that accused “Club Shay Shay” host and former NFL star Shannon Sharpe of rape has officially been settled.
The case, filed in April 2024 in Clark County, Nevada, was brought by a woman identified only as Jane Doe, but widely reported as Gabrielle Zuniga.
She accused Sharpe of multiple counts of sexual assault and emotional distress stemming from an alleged relationship that began after the two met at a Los Angeles gym in 2023.
Related: Shannon Sharpe Calls $50 Million Civil Lawsuit A ‘Shakedown’ (Video)
Attorney Tony Buzbee Announces Settlement
On Friday afternoon, attorney Tony Buzbee, who represented Zuniga, took to Instagram to announce the legal matter had been resolved.
“After protracted and respectful negotiations, I’m pleased to announce that we have reached a mutually agreed upon resolution,” Buzbee wrote.
“All matters have now been addressed satisfactorily, and the matter is closed. The lawsuit will thus be dismissed with prejudice.”
This means the case cannot be refiled in the future.
While the exact terms of the settlement remain confidential, both legal teams appear to be in agreement that the matter is officially closed.
Sharpe’s Legal Team Confirms Closure
Sharpe’s attorneys also confirmed the settlement in a statement to The Times, noting that Buzbee’s public announcement should be viewed as the “final word” on the issue.
Back in April, Sharpe’s attorney Lanny J. Davis claimed the former tight end had previously offered his accuser “at least $10 million” in mediation, but that offer was rejected.
The lawsuit had sought $50 million in damages and alleged that Sharpe, 54, and the accuser, then 20, had a “rocky consensual relationship” that reportedly included non-consensual sexual encounters in her Las Vegas apartment between October and January.
Sharpe has consistently denied the allegations.
Related: Shannon Sharpe & Ochocinco Postpone ‘Nightcap’ Tour Until 2026 Amid $50M Lawsuit
Shannon Sharpe Took a Brief Break From ESPN’s ‘First Take’
Following the filing of the lawsuit, Sharpe stepped away from his duties as co-host of ESPN’s “First Take,” announcing a temporary break from the show while the legal matter played out.
He’s expected to return for the 2025 NFL season.
Throughout the legal battle, however, Sharpe remained active on his two popular podcasts: “Club Shay Shay” and “Nightcap,” which continue to rack up views and celebrity guests.
While many questions remain unanswered due to the confidentiality of the settlement terms, one thing is clear—the legal chapter between Shannon Sharpe and Gabrielle Zuniga has come to a close.
Whether this marks a return to business as usual for Shannon Sharpe or a moment of reflection in his high-profile career, only time will tell.
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