Former NFL star and sports personality Shannon Sharpe has settled a $50 million civil sexual assault lawsuit that was filed against him by a woman he was previously involved in a “consensual relationship” with.
Per The Los Angeles Times, the announcement of the settlement was made on Friday by Tony Buzbee, the attorney representing the plaintiff. “On April 20, 2025, The Buzbee Law Firm filed a complaint in Nevada making several allegations against Shannon Sharpe on behalf of our client,” Buzbee wrote in a statement on Instagram.
“Both sides acknowledge a long-term consensual and tumultuous relationship,” Buzbee added. “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. The lawsuit will thus be dismissed with prejudice.”
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The details of the settlement were, however, not shared. The legal team representing Sharpe, 57, also told the news outlet that a settlement had indeed been reached, adding that the statement from Buzbee is to be deemed as the “final word” on the case.
As previously reported by Face2Face Africa, Sharpe initially attempted to prevent his rape case from escalating as the retired NFL star reportedly tabled a monetary offer to his accuser, identified as Jane Doe, in an attempt to settle the issue before it made the news.
Doe in her lawsuit filed in April stated that she and Sharpe met at a Los Angeles gym in 2023. She said she was 20 years old at the time, and she and Sharpe established a consensual relationship. She, however, claimed that the relationship was abusive and controlling.
Doe in her lawsuit also accused Sharpe of raping her in 2024 after she attempted to end their relationship. She alleged Sharpe sexually assaulted her again in January 2025, per TMZ. Sharpe has, however, denied the allegations.
After the lawsuit was filed, the former Denver Broncos legend announced he was “electing” to temporarily step aside from ESPN’s First Take as he battled the case.
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