Report: Shannon Sharpe, accuser reach settlement in rape lawsuit

A settlement has been reached in the lawsuit levied against Pro Football Hall of Famer and ESPN analyst Shannon Sharpe for rape. The attorney representing the woman, Tony Buzbee, revealed the news via a statement on social media.

“On April 20, 2025, The Buzbee Law Firm filed a complaint 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’m pleased to announce that we have reached a mutually agreed upon resolution,” Buzbee posted on X.

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

A resolution seemed to be on the horizon earlier this week, after the attorney representing Sharpe’s accuser didn’t show up to the first hearing of the case on Wednesday. It took place in Clark County District Court.

The aforementioned lawsuit stems from the woman, only known as Jane Doe, filing an anonymous lawsuit in April, as Buzbee mentioned. She was suing the longtime Denver Broncos tight end for $50 million, alleging he raped her on multiple occasions after the two met in 2023.

In the time since the lawsuit came to light, Sharpe stepped away from his duties on ESPN’s First Take. The next hearing was originally scheduled for Sept. 3, but it seems like that won’t be necessary any longer.

More on Shannon Sharpe, ESPN absence amid lawsuit

Moreover, Sharpe has been off ESPN, but he hasn’t stopped defending himself in the time since late April. His lawyers released a blistering statement in response to the lawsuit, wholly denying the allegations against him. Additionally, Sharpe put out a video addressing the situation and potential next steps, before announcing his decision to step away until the NFL season ramps up.

“My statement is found here and this is the truth. The relationship in question was 100% consensual,” Sharpe wrote. “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. I plan to return to ESPN at the start of the NFL preseason. I sincerely appreciate the overwhelming and ongoing support I have received from my family, fans, friends and colleagues.”

Shannon Sharpe joined ESPN in 2023, following a seven-year run at FOX Sports as co-host of Undisputed alongside Skip Bayless. That ended when Sharpe made the move to ESPN to make weekly appearances on First Take with Stephen A. Smith. ESPN gave him a new multi-year contract in 2024 to expand his role on the show. Now, we’ll see if he’s given the green light to return amid this settlement.

— On3’s Nick Schultz contributed to this article.