The Shannon Sharpe era is over at ESPN.
The Worldwide Leader has severed ties with the Pro Football Hall of Famer, The Athletic’s Andrew Marchand reported Wednesday, days after he settled a bombshell $50 million lawsuit that accused him of rape.
Sharpe, 57, initially joined “First Take” in the fall of 2023 after leaving FS1’s “Undisputed” with Skip Bayless earlier in the year.
Shannon Sharpe is out at ESPN after settling a rape lawsuit. Getty Images
The legendary tight end was named in a civil lawsuit filed in Nevada state court in April that alleged he committed assault, sexual assault, sexual battery and battery.
The plaintiff, identified as Jane Doe in the complaint, accused Sharpe of sexually assaulting her multiple times in late 2024 and early 2025.
Shannon Sharpe during an appearance on “First Take.” X
Sharpe, who denied “all allegations of coercion or misconduct” in a statement through his legal counsel, was involved in an ugly back-and-forth with the accuser and her attorney, with intimate details of the relationship being exposed.
The statement from Sharpe’s legal team included graphic messages sent to him from the accuser, according to his lawyer, Lanny J. Davis.
“The evidence paints a clear picture: this was a consensual, adult relationship that included role-playing, sexual language, and fantasy scenarios,” Davis said.
Shannon Sharpe joined “First Take” in the fall of 2023. Getty Images
Sharpe stepped away from ESPN in the wake of the allegations.
“At this juncture I am electing to step aside temporarily from my ESPN duties. I will be devoting this time to my family, and responding and dealing with these false and disruptive allegations set against me,” Sharpe said in April.
ESPN backed Sharpe’s decision to take time away, telling The Post: “This is a serious situation, and we agree with Shannon’s decision to step away.”
Sharpe also serves as host of the “Club Shay Shay” podcast and “Nightcap” with Chad Ochocinco.