Shannon Sharpe, Super Bowl Champion and Podcast Host, Accused of Sexual Assault in Nevada Lawsuit

Shannon Sharpe, a former NFL star and current podcast host, has been accused of sexual assault in a lawsuit filed in Nevada.

The complaint, filed by a woman who met Sharpe in 2023 at the age of 19, alleges that he used his celebrity status to "manipulate, control, subjugate, and violate women." According to the filing, the woman was involved in a nearly two-year relationship with Sharpe, during which she claims he was "aggressive" and that he raped her.

Sharpe has denied all allegations, calling the lawsuit a "shakedown."

Shannon Sharpe Faces $50 Million Lawsuit Alleging Sexual Assault and Misconduct

A woman has filed a lawsuit against former NFL star and podcast host Shannon Sharpe, seeking more than $50 million (£37.6 million) in compensatory and punitive damages.

The plaintiff, who is the sole accuser in the case, claims that Sharpe used his fame and influence to manipulate and abuse her, although the lawsuit does not provide details supporting the broader allegation that he harmed other women.

According to the complaint, the woman, who met Sharpe at a Los Angeles gym when she was 19, described their relationship as a "rocky consensual relationship." However, the lawsuit alleges that Sharpe, now 56, subjected her to manipulation and control, threatened violence, and ultimately raped her despite her "sobbing and repeated screams of 'no.'"

The woman further alleges that Sharpe raped her as recently as January. She also claims that Sharpe insisted on recording some of their sexual encounters — sometimes without her consent or knowledge — and shared the videos with friends and associates.

Sharpe, who hosts the popular Club Shay Shay podcast with over four million subscribers, has denied the allegations, calling them a "shakedown" in a video posted to Instagram on Tuesday. He vowed to be "open, transparent, and defend" himself, insisting the claims are false.

In his response, Sharpe accused the woman's attorney, Tony Buzbee, of filing a fraudulent lawsuit and said he intends to sue for defamation. Buzbee is known for representing high-profile clients, including a plaintiff who accused rapper Jay-Z of misconduct — a claim later withdrawn — and multiple massage therapists who accused NFL quarterback Deshaun Watson of sexual assault.

Sharpe also suggested that a short clip from a recorded encounter might be released to portray him negatively. He challenged Buzbee to release the full video, claiming it would show a different narrative: "Hey, Tony, instead of releasing your edit, put the whole video out. I don't have it, or I would myself," Sharpe said.

This controversy follows a 2023 incident where Sharpe inadvertently livestreamed audio of an intimate encounter to his Instagram followers, later apologizing and attributing the event to mistakenly activating the platform’s "Live" feature.

Sharpe enjoyed a 14-year NFL career, winning three Super Bowls and earning induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. After retiring, he transitioned into a successful career in sports broadcasting and podcasting and is reportedly in talks for a $100 million deal to expand his media network.