NFL Hall of Famer and ESPN analyst Shannon Sharpe will not face disciplinary action despite his controversial incident involving an Instagram live video that went viral on Wednesday.
According to a TMZ report, the video, which many perceive as a “sex tape,” led to widespread backlash and was presumed to be the end of Sharpe’s time at ESPN. However, the NFL legend is set to keep his job despite initial reports by the media, and will also not be facing disciplinary action.
Sharpe was heard making sexual noises and comments during the live stream on Wednesday, which has now been removed. At one point, more than 6,000 viewers were tuned in, with many flooding the comments section. He then later admitted that the sounds were indeed his, stemming from an intimate encounter as per a report by THE SUN.
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In an interview on The Nightcap Show, Sharpe went on to express regret over the incident. “I’m embarrassed. I’m someone that’s extremely private. The audio was heard for the entire world to hear,” he said. “I always try to be professional, even behind closed doors. I’m disappointed in myself, not for the act but for the audio being heard.”
Sharpe further elaborated on how the situation unfolded, explaining that he unintentionally went live on Instagram. “I came in, threw my phone on the bed, and engaged in an activity. All of a sudden people are calling me, ‘Shannon, you’re on IG Live. They can hear you were having sex,'” he recounted.
Sharpe had initially claimed his account was hacked, but later retracted the statement. “My phone wasn’t hacked; it was me being active. Unc ain’t lying,” he said, referencing his nickname.
The incident then went viral across social media, with many users on X skeptical of Sharpe’s initial hacking claim. “Shannon Sharpe, you can’t ‘I was hacked’ your way out of this one!” one user commented. Others, including his ESPN colleagues, also chimed in. “The OG Shay Sharpe was doing what now?!” tweeted analyst Damien Woody, while Ryan Clark joked about the situation, saying, “Man, when is the next episode of @NightcapShow_? That mug gonna be [fire].”
Sharpe was absent from Thursday’s “First Take” but it had nothing to do with what went down on his Instagram on Wednesday, as his usual days off are Thursdays and Fridays.
A source told TMZ Sharpe will be returning to work on Monday, with no punishment whatsoever set to be afforded him.
The ESPN analyst had recently joined the network after departing FS1’s Undisputed in 2023, and co-hosted First Take alongside Stephen A. Smith on Mondays and Tuesdays and had signed a long-term deal with the network earlier this year.
At the time of his signing, he expressed enthusiasm about his role at ESPN, believing it as the next big step in his individual career. “Being a part of this family has been a blessing. Everything about this relationship with ESPN, Stephen A., and First Take has been tremendous,” he said in July. “I look forward to expanding my role and showing more of the world what I have to offer.”
To his fans and followers on ESPN, it is a delight to see him keep his job after the accidental sex stream, and the NFL Hall of famer will be aiming to avoid such a situation in his days to come, knowing he stands an example to many young passionate sportsmen across the world.
