Shannon Sharpe Sued for Alleged Sexual Assault in $50M Civil Lawsuit

NFL Hall of Famer and renowned podcast host Shannon Sharpe is facing a civil lawsuit filed Sunday in Las Vegas, accusing him of multiple instances of sexual assault, battery, and emotional manipulation.

Filed by an anonymous woman identified as “Jane Doe,” the lawsuit alleges that Sharpe, 56, sexually assaulted and raped her on multiple occasions during a nearly two-year relationship that began in 2023 when she was 20. The plaintiff claims the relationship, which started consensually, became abusive and coercive over time.

According to the complaint, Sharpe allegedly raped the plaintiff in October 2024 and again in January 2025 in Las Vegas, despite her repeated pleas for him to stop. The suit details disturbing claims of violent threats and psychological manipulation, stating Sharpe “repeatedly threatened to brutally choke and violently slap her,” and “refused to accept the answer no.”

Attorney Tony Buzbee, representing Jane Doe, said the case highlights the courage it takes to confront powerful figures. “It takes a great deal of courage to stand up against those with power, fame, and money,” Buzbee said. “I look forward to pressing this case in court.”

In response, Sharpe’s legal team has vehemently denied the allegations. His attorney, Lanny J. Davis, called the lawsuit a “shakedown” and insisted the relationship was entirely consensual. “She initiated many of the encounters with specific and graphic requests,” Davis claimed.

Sharpe’s team also stated that the lawsuit is an attempt to blackmail him for financial gain, and that he “categorically denies all allegations of coercion or misconduct.” The plaintiff is seeking more than $50 million in compensatory and punitive damages.

Shannon Sharpe, a three-time Super Bowl champion and former Denver Broncos and Baltimore Ravens tight end, retired from the NFL in 2003 and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2011. He currently hosts the widely followed “Club Shay Shay” podcast.