{"id":7529,"date":"2025-07-19T07:34:08","date_gmt":"2025-07-19T07:34:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/7529\/"},"modified":"2025-07-19T07:34:08","modified_gmt":"2025-07-19T07:34:08","slug":"shannon-sharpes-sexual-assault-lawsuit-settled-attorney-announces","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/7529\/","title":{"rendered":"Shannon Sharpe’s sexual assault lawsuit settled, attorney announces"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

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An attorney representing a woman who sued NFL Hall of Famer and ESPN star Shannon Sharpe<\/a> for alleged sexual assault announced Friday the lawsuit has been settled.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The attorney, Tony Buzbee<\/a>, made the announcement in a post on X.\u00a0<\/p>\n

“On April 20, 2025, The Buzbee Law Firm filed a complaint<\/a> in Nevada making several allegations against Shannon Sharpe on behalf of our client. Both sides acknowledge a long-term consensual and tumultuous relationship. After protracted and respectful negotiations, I\u2019m pleased to announce that we have reached a mutually agreed upon resolution,” Buzbee wrote.<\/p>\n

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\"Shannon <\/p>\n

The Denver Broncos’ Shannon Sharpe in action against the Kansas City Chiefs in 1996. (Damian Strohmeyer\/Sports Illustrated via Getty Images)<\/p>\n

“All matters have now been addressed satisfactorily, and the matter is closed. The lawsuit will thus be dismissed with prejudice.”<\/p>\n

Sharpe initially called the allegations “false and disruptive” when the lawsuit was filed in April. The woman alleged Sharpe engaged in the intentional infliction of emotional distress and later assaulted her twice, once in October 2024 and in January 2025.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Sharpe stepped away from his duties at ESPN April 24 but pledged to return by the NFL preseason. He also called the lawsuit a “shakedown” and a “blatant\u00a0set-up” by Buzbee and the accuser.<\/p>\n

NFL HALL OF FAMER SHANNON SHARPE ACCUSED OF SEXUAL ASSAULT, BATTERY IN $50 MILLION LAWSUIT<\/a><\/p>\n

Sharpe’s attorney, Lanny J. Davis, previously revealed a string of text messages that were allegedly from the plaintiff, which he says showed a consensual relationship. Davis claims the relationship involved “fantasy” and “role-playing.”<\/p>\n

Davis released a lengthy statement, which Sharpe shared on his social media accounts. In the message, Davis shared the sexually explicit messages.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"Shannon <\/p>\n

Shannon Sharpe during the second quarter of a game between the Golden State Warriors and Los Angeles Lakers at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles March 16, 20245. (Jason Parkhurst\/USA Today Sports)<\/p>\n

Sharpe also released a video on X prior to Davis\u2019 news conference in which he called the accuser\u2019s legal action a “shakedown.” He also mentioned that Buzbee planned to release an edited sex tape to support his client\u2019s claims.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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“This is a shakedown. I\u2019m going to be open, transparent and defend myself because this isn\u2019t right. This is all being orchestrated by Tony Buzbee,” Sharpe said. “Tony Buzbee targets Black men, and I believe he is 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.”<\/p>\n

Buzbee released a statement after Sharpe\u2019s video message and Davis\u2019 press conference, confirming the latter\u2019s remarks about the previous proposed settlement. He also denied that any video of the plaintiff was altered, saying Sharpe\u2019s claim was “demonstrably false, but also desperate.”<\/p>\n

\"Shannon <\/p>\n

Shannon Sharpe speaks on SiriusXM at Super Bowl LVIII Feb. 7, 2024, in Las Vegas. (Cindy Ord\/Getty Images for SiriusXM)<\/p>\n

“An incredibly damning video does indeed exist,” Buzbee added in his statement. “The contents of that video speak volumes about Mr. Sharpe and his behavior. That video, which will be played to the jury, is extremely problematic for Mr. Sharpe. Sharpe’s team, as I anticipated, disclosed the existence of this video in an effort to try and get ahead of it. That effort will fall flat.”<\/p>\n

Buzbee is well known for negotiating settlements for the women who accused Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson of sexual assault.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Follow Fox News Digital\u2019s\u00a0sports coverage on X<\/a>, and subscribe to\u00a0the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Jackson Thompson is a sports writer for Fox News Digital. He previously worked for ESPN and Business Insider. Jackson has covered the Super Bowl and NBA Finals, and has interviewed iconic figures Usain Bolt, Rob Gronkowski, Jerry Rice, Troy Aikman, Mike Trout, David Ortiz and Roger Clemens.<\/p>\n