ESPN Drops Shannon Sharpe After Rape Allegation Settlement
ESPN has terminated Shannon Sharpe after he settled a rape allegation lawsuit. The NFL Hall of Famer had denied the claims but is now off the network.
ESPN has officially cut ties with #NFL Hall of Famer and media analyst #ShannonSharpe, sources told The Athletic.
The move comes less than two weeks after Sharpe settled a lawsuit filed by a former girlfriend who accused him of rape. Sharpe has denied all allegations.
Sharpe had been off-air since late April 2025, when the lawsuit was filed. At the time, ESPN reportedly planned for his return at the start of the NFL training camp. But with the recent out-of-court settlement, the network has now decided to part ways with the former tight end entirely.
#ESPN has declined to comment on the decision. Sharpe has not issued a new statement following his departure.
This marks a dramatic fall for one of the most high-profile figures in sports media, who previously co-hosted FS1's Undisputed before joining ESPN's First Take.
