Shannon Sharpe settles lawsuit accusing him of rape

By Emmanuel Morgan

Shannon Sharpe, the podcast host, sports media personality and former NFL star who was accused of rape by a former sexual partner, has settled her lawsuit for undisclosed terms, according to the woman’s lawyer.

The lawyer, Tony Buzbee, said on social media late last week that both parties agreed that the sexual relationship was consensual, and that the lawsuit would be dismissed.

The woman, who filed the complaint anonymously, had sought $50 million in damages. Sharpe’s lawyer has said that before the lawsuit was filed, he had discussed offering her at least $10 million.

“Both sides acknowledge a long-term consensual and tumultuous relationship,” Buzbee said in a statement. “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.”

Buzbee did not respond to a request for comment. A representative for Sharpe, 56, declined to comment.

The woman, who is described as being in her early 20s, filed a lawsuit in April claiming that Sharpe had raped her in her apartment on two recent occasions. Lanny Davis, a lawyer who was representing Sharpe at the time, denied the allegations and released graphic text messages that he said depicted a “consensual, adult relationship that included role-playing, sexual language, and fantasy scenarios explicitly requested” by the woman, whom he named.

Sharpe won three Super Bowls as a tight end with the Denver Broncos and Baltimore Ravens and has become a media personality since his retirement after the 2003 season. His interview-based podcast “Club Shay Shay” grew in popularity after an episode last year with comedian Katt Williams, and he is also a commentator on “First Take,” ESPN’s morning debate show.

But Sharpe has not appeared on ESPN since April, when he announced he would step back until the start of the NFL preseason to deal with what he called “false and disruptive allegations.” An ESPN spokesperson declined to comment regarding Sharpe’s status.

Throughout the legal process, Sharpe continued to host “Club Shay Shay” and his secondary podcast, “Nightcap.”