Shannon Sharpe Steps Away From ESPN to Be With Family Amid Rape Allegations and $50 Million Lawsuit

Shannon Sharpe is stepping aside from his role on ESPN’s “First Take” after the the former NFL star, podcaster and sports broadcaster was sued by an ex-girlfriend who accuses him of rape and is seeking $50 million in damages.

“My statement is found here and this is the truth. The relationship in question was 100% consensual,” the “Club Shay Shay” host wrote in an X post on Thursday. “At this juncture I am electing to step aside temporarily from my ESPN duties. I will be devoting this time to my family, and responding and dealing with these false and disruptive allegations set against me. I plan to return to ESPN at the start of the NFL pre-season.”

In a statement to TheWrap, ESPN said: “This is a serious situation, and we agree with Shannon’s decision to step away.”

He concluded his statement saying, “I sincerely appreciate the overwhelming and ongoing support I have receive from my family, fans, friends and colleagues. Shannon Sharpe.”

On Sunday, a woman who has been described as being in her early 20s, filed the lawsuit in Nevada’s Clark County stating that Sharpe raped her in her apartment in October and January, per The New York Times. The two were allegedly in a relationship for two years. The woman claims that during the acts she cried out and pleaded with him to stop.

Since the filing, Sharpe has denied all of the accusations, with his lawyer, Lanny J. Davis calling the lawsuit “a blatant and cynical attempt to shake down Mr. Sharpe for millions of dollars.” Over the past few days Sharpe’s legal team has released several text messages the two have had in an effort to show that their relationship was a “consensual, adult relationship that included role-playing, sexual language, and fantasy scenarios explicitly requested” by the woman.

On Tuesday, Sharpe appeared to address the lawsuit in an Instagram video, calling it a “shakedown.” The woman’s lawsuit was filed by Tony Buzbee, who recently sued music mogul and businessman Sean “Jay-Z” Carter on behalf of a woman who claimed Carter raped her when she was 13 years old. Per reports, the accuser has since taken steps to dismiss the lawsuit.

“I’m going to be open, transparent and defend myself because this isn’t right. This is all being orchestrated by Tony Buzbee, who has targeted Jay-Z,” Sharpe said in the video, which he posted to his Instagram account. “Tony Buzbee targets Black men and I believe he’s going to release a 30-second clip of a sex tape that tries to make me look guilty and play into every stereotype you could possibly imagine. That video should actually be 10 minutes or so. Hey, Tony, instead of releasing your edit put the whole video out. I don’t have it or I would myself. You know what happened and you’re trying to manipulate the media.”

He continued, adding that he has plans to retaliate by suingi for defamation. “The account in question took place during the day at her invitation, and now that appears to be a deliberate setup coordinated by Gabby, also known as Karli on OnlyFans. Gabby and Tony Buzbee want $50 million, what they’re getting is sued for defamation and trying to take me down. My career is all about real talk and honesty. I know my family and fans know exactly what this is about, and I’m going to be out there telling you whatever I need to say, just like I always do. I love all you guys, thanks.”

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The post Shannon Sharpe Steps Away From ESPN to Be With Family Amid Rape Allegations and $50 Million Lawsuit appeared first on TheWrap.