Shannon Sharpe is quickly stepping away from ESPN, per an announcement on his social media accounts. This comes as he has been hit with a $50 million sexual assault lawsuit, per a report by TMZ Sports activities on Monday morning.
On Thursday afternoon, Sharpe introduced that he could be quickly stepping away from his duties at ESPN, releasing an announcement to share the information:
“My assertion is discovered right here and that is the reality. The connection in query was 100% consensual. At this juncture I’m electing to step apart quickly from my ESPN duties.
I shall be devoting this time to my household, and responding and coping with these false and disruptive allegations set in opposition to me. I plan to return to ESPN firstly of the NFL preseason.
I sincerely admire the overwhelming and ongoing help I’ve acquired from my household, followers, mates and colleagues.
Shannon Sharpe”
ESPN additionally launched an announcement about Sharpe’s short-term departure from his function with the corporate, stating, “This can be a critical state of affairs, and we agree with Shannon’s determination to step away.”
The 13-page lawsuit was filed by a “Jane Doe” in Nevada, alleging Sharpe had dedicated assault, sexual assault, battery, and sexual battery, and that he engaged within the intentional infliction of emotional misery. The lawsuit states that she and Sharpe began a relationship in 2023 after assembly at a gymnasium in Los Angeles. She claims Sharpe relentlessly pursued her, repeatedly calling, texting, and “demanding she come to his Beverly Glen mansion.” The connection is described within the swimsuit as abusive and controlling.
The grievance alleges that Sharpe recorded their sexual actions, one thing with out her data, and that he was sharing the movies with others with out her permission or data. The swimsuit additionally alleges that Sharpe threatened to kill her after she tried to share her location on her iPhone together with her mates.
On Tuesday, Sharpe launched a video assertion on his social media accounts declaring his innocence.
“To my household, mates, supporters, and colleagues. I wish to converse to you straight and from the center. This can be a shakedown. I am gonna be open, clear, and defend myself as a result of this is not proper,” Sharpe mentioned within the video. “ That is all being orchestrated by Tony Buzbee, who focused Jay-Z.
“Tony Buzbee targets black males, and I consider that he will launch a 30-second clip of a intercourse tape that tries to make me look responsible and play into each stereotype you would presumably think about.”
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He continued, “ That video ought to truly be 10 minutes or so. Hey, Tony. As a substitute of releasing your edit, put the entire video out. I haven’t got it or I’d myself. what occurred, and also you’re making an attempt to govern the media. The encounter in query passed off in the course of the day at her invitation, and now that seems to be a deliberate setup…”
Sharpe additionally outlined that the accuser and Buzbee shall be sued for defamation.
“Gabby and Tony Buzbee need $50 million. What they’re getting is sued for defamation and making an attempt to take me down. My profession is all about actual speak and honesty. I do know my household and followers know precisely what that is about, and I’ll be on the market telling you no matter I have to say, similar to I at all times do.”
Sharpe’s authorized counsel Lanny J. Davis refuted the allegations in an announcement and launched the textual content messages of his encounters with Jane Doe, whom Davis identifies as Gabriella Zuniga.
“This lawsuit, filed by Gabriella Zuniga and orchestrated by her legal professional Tony Buzbee, is a blatant and cynical try to shake down Mr. Sharpe for hundreds of thousands of {dollars}. It’s stuffed with lies, distortions, and misrepresentations – and it’ll not succeed,” the assertion by Davis mentioned partially.
“Mr. Sharpe categorically denies all allegations of coercion or misconduct – particularly the gross lie of ‘rape’ — and won’t undergo what he sees as an egregious try at blackmail. He stands firmly by the reality and is ready to struggle these false claims vigorously in court docket.”
In a particular version of his eponymous podcast, Stephen A. Smith commented on the case, stating that whereas he’s not sure how ESPN will handle the difficulty, they’re protecting an in depth eye on the state of affairs.
“I do not know what route ESPN will go in in the case of this matter,” Smith mentioned on The Stephen A. Smith Present. “All I do know is it received’t be me making the choice. It will likely be others upstairs. In the long run, all of us have somebody to reply to. Irrespective of how maverick we attempt to be.”