Shannon Sharpe Reaches Agreement With Rape Accuser

Shannon Sharpe Reaches Settlement With Rape Accuser, Concedes Relationship Was “Consensual & Tumultuous” - Page 3

Source: Gilbert Flores / Getty / Shannon Sharpe

Shannon Sharpe was accused of rape by Jane Doe in April; now he has reportedly settled the lawsuit on undisclosed terms. Attorney Tony Buzbee, who represents the accuser, said on Friday, July 18, that his client’s lawsuit will be dismissed because they “reached a mutually agreed upon resolution” with the 3-time Super Bowl Champion and now podcast host and ESPN sports analyst. Per Deadline:

“On April 20, 2025, The Buzbee Law Firm filed a complaint in Nevada making several allegations against Shannon Sharpe on behalf of our client,” wrote Buzbee on X. “Both sides acknowledge a long-term consensual and tumultuous relationship. After protracted and respectful negotiations, I’m pleased to announce that we have reached a mutually agreed upon resolution. All matters have now been addressed satisfactorily, and the matter is closed. The lawsuit will thus be dismissed with prejudice.”

As expected, when the lawsuit was filed in April, Jane Doe and her attorney, Sharpe, immediately denied the allegations that accused the Club Shay Shay host of rape, choking, and more in the 13-page civil suit, claiming that what went on was being taken out of context and completely consensual. Sharpe’s attorney lashed out at the charges, describing them as a “blatant and cynical attempt to shake down Mr. Sharpe for millions of dollars.” Both parties also confirmed that Sharpe previously offered Jane Doe $10 million in an attempt to stop her from filing the lawsuit.

The Immediate Fallout & Social Media Reactions To Shannon Sharpe Settling

The fallout was swift, with Sharpe being suspended from his Monday and Tuesday slots on ESPN’s First Take; however, he did continue with his podcast shows, Club Shay Shay and Nightcap with Ocho Cinco. Social media has been chiming, especially about Sharpe’s accuser reportedly retiring from OnlyFans after securing her $50 million settlement.