Shannon Sharpe, who is one of the panelists on First Take, is being sued for sexual assault and battery.
He was also accused of engaging “in the intentional infliction of emotional distress,” with his accuser seeking $50 million in damages.
The woman alleging that Shannon Sharpe raped her confronted him in a text exchange that suggests he should probably be taken off of television.
The woman texted Sharpe in January that “no means no” and that she didn’t know “how to process” the situation. “But I cried when u left because I begged you to put a condom on and not put it in my ass, and u didn’t listen,” the woman said.
“I don’t care what our history is, no means no shannon.”
In response to the ongoing situation, ESPN made the shocking decision to let Sharpe keep his job and stay on their number one-rated show.
That would backfire in a terrible way as Sharpe appeared on First Take at the same time TMZ released audio of him threatening to choke the woman. Sharpe’s legal team countered by sharing a series of text messages about the relationship that made both parties look terrible.
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ESPN Catching Backlash For Allowing Shannon Sharpe On TV
56-year-old football Hall of Famer Shannon Sharpe is accused of assault, battery, intentional infliction of emotional distress, sexual assault, and sexual battery.
Sharpe appeared on Monday and Tuesday’s First Take and did not discuss the lawsuit. Later in the day, however, he responded to it via video, calling it a “shakedown.”
The worldwide leader in sports is now being blasted for letting him be on television.
“@espn @ABCNetwork @Disney PLEASE tell me you’re NOT going to have Shannon Sharpe on the air while these rape allegations against him are pending,” one fan said.
@espn @ABCNetwork @Disney PLEASE tell me you’re NOT going to have Shannon Sharpe on the air while these rape allegations against him are pending.
— Jeffrey Jump (@jeffrey_jump) April 23, 2025
“Is anyone really surprised @espn employs a scumbag like Shannon Sharpe? A: No. ESPN is a hostile work environment,” a second fan stated.
Is anyone really surprised @espn employs a scumbag like Shannon Sharpe?
— Spicoli – #RepealEthanolNow (@spicoli_75) April 23, 2025
A: No.
Desmond Howard said on Gameday:
“Am I gonna have to choke a bitch?”
ESPN is a hostile work environment.
“@espn – if Shannon Sharpe were White, you would have already pulled the trigger. Stop being spineless,” a third fan added.
@espn – if Shannon Sharpe were White, you would have already pulled the trigger. Stop being spineless.
— EP Workshop 🇺🇸🎶⚾️ (@Rcrofts74) April 23, 2025
“@espn Jimmy Pitaro should be embarrassed sacking people like David Pollack and Samantha Ponder and supporting Sharpe. Ass backwards ESPN,” a fourth person wrote.
@espn Jimmy Pitaro should be embarrassed sacking people like David Pollack and Samantha Ponder and supporting Shannon Sharpe. Ass backwards ESPN
— Richard Baptist (@richardbbaptist) April 23, 2025
“TAKE SHANNON SHARPE OFF THE AIR IMMEDIATELY. if you don’t, I’m done with ESPN. This is not good, any way you slice it. ESPN followers fans deserve better. Do the right thing ASAP!” one final fan demanded.
TAKE SHANNON SHARPE OFF THE AIR IMMEDIATELY. if you don't, I'm done with ESPN.
— FreeJ6ers (@nonamelaker) April 23, 2025
This is not good any way you slice it. ESPN followers fans deserve better.
Do the right thing ASAP!
