Shannon Sharpe Faces Civil Lawsuit Over Sexual Assault Allegations, Attorney to Host Press Conference

NFL Hall of Fame tight end Shannon Sharpe is currently facing a civil lawsuit alleging sexual assault and other serious claims. As the legal battle unfolds, Sharpe’s legal team appears poised to defend him not only in court but also in the court of public opinion.

Sharpe’s attorney, Lanny Davis, has scheduled a press conference for Tuesday at 2:00 p.m. ET to address the allegations and provide additional commentary on the plaintiff’s claims. According to the announcement, Davis plans to publicly challenge the credibility of the woman behind the lawsuit, described in the release as a “Nevada OnlyFans woman.”

The press advisory outlines Davis’s intent to question the motives of both the plaintiff, Gabbi Zuniga, and her legal representative, Texas attorney Tony Buzbee. A central point of contention is a video recorded during an alleged consensual encounter between Sharpe and Zuniga. Davis claims the video was secretly recorded, heavily edited, and manipulated to portray a consensual act as non-consensual.

Davis has called on the plaintiff to release the full, unedited version of the video to clarify the context and content. He accused her of deliberately withholding the footage, suggesting that doing so may be an attempt at blackmail. Davis stated, “What is she hiding?” as he challenged the plaintiff’s narrative ahead of the press conference.

However, legal experts note that obtaining the complete video can be handled through standard legal procedures. Under Rule 34 of the Nevada Rules of Civil Procedure, Sharpe’s legal team can formally request the video during the discovery phase of the trial. If the plaintiff refuses or the video has been destroyed, the case could face dismissal or trigger separate legal consequences related to spoliation of evidence.

Critics argue that Davis’s strategy may be more focused on shaping public perception than addressing the core legal issues. By framing the plaintiff in a controversial light, the defense may be aiming to undermine her credibility before the case reaches the courtroom.

Sharpe has not denied knowing Zuniga or engaging in intimate acts with her. His defense hinges on the claim that all encounters were consensual. The outcome of the case may ultimately rest on whether the edited video accurately reflects reality—or distorts it.