Shannon Sharpe Resolves $50 Million Sexual Abuse Lawsuit Through Settlement
Shannon Sharpe has reached a settlement regarding the $50 million lawsuit brought against him.
The 57-year-old was accused of rape in a complaint filed in April by a woman referred to as Jane Doe. In her lawsuit, she sought $50 million in damages, claiming Sharpe assaulted her on two occasions.
“On April 20, 2025, The Buzbee Law Firm filed a lawsuit in Nevada making numerous allegations against Shannon Sharpe on behalf of our client,” stated the woman’s attorney, Tony Buzbee, in a comment to Us Weekly on Saturday, July 19. “Both parties recognize that there was a long-term, complicated consensual relationship. Following extended and respectful discussions, I am happy to announce that we have come to a mutually agreed resolution. All issues have been satisfactorily resolved, and the case is now closed. The lawsuit will be dismissed with prejudice.”
The accusations against Sharpe included assault, sexual assault, battery, and sexual battery. According to court documents retrieved by NBC Sports, Jane Doe claimed she first met Sharpe at a gym when she was 20 and that he promised to “buy her fake t**s” if she won a weight-loss contest.
She also described their relationship as “rocky and consensual” for two years and further alleged that Sharpe recorded their intimate encounters without her consent, subsequently showing those recordings to others.
Sharpe has denied all claims leveled against him. On April 21, Sharpe’s attorney, Lanny J. Davis, told Us Weekly that the woman’s lawsuit was “full of lies, distortions, and misrepresentations — and it will not prevail.” The sports commentator also accused her of making “a blatant and cynical attempt to extort Mr. Sharpe for millions.”
“He firmly upholds the truth and is ready to challenge these baseless allegations vigorously in court,” Davis commented. “He looks forward to being vindicated through due process and a ruling based on the facts and law.”
Davis also produced text messages exchanged between the two, asserting that they would demonstrate “this was a consensual relationship involving role play, sexual language, and fantasy scenarios.”
“I’m committed to being open, transparent, and defending myself because this is unjust,” Sharpe said on April 22 via Instagram. He then accused Buzbee of intending to release a 30-second clip of a tape that would portray him in a negative light, playing into every stereotype imaginable.
“That video should ideally be around ten minutes long,” he added. “Hey, Tony, instead of releasing your edited clip, publish the entire video. I don’t possess it, or I would share it myself. You know what transpired and are attempting to manipulate the media.”
Sharpe proceeded to reveal the woman’s name, stating, “What they’re getting 1753025361 is sued for defamation and for trying to bring me down. My career is built on honesty and authenticity. I believe my family and supporters understand the true nature of this situation, and I will continue to speak candidly, just as I always have. I appreciate all of you.”
Buzbee responded on Instagram the same day.
“On one hand, Mr. Sharpe and his legal team claim that Jane Doe’s case lacks merit, but on the other, they have disclosed that Mr. Sharpe offered Jane Doe $10 million in writing to avoid filing her lawsuit. That is a factual statement,” Buzbee asserted. “Jane Doe was indeed offered $10 million to settle but chose to move forward with litigation. Now, Sharpe’s team is attempting to discredit and dox her. We will not be intimidated by these strategies.”
If you or someone you know has experienced sexual assault, please reach out to the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673).
