Pro Football Hall of Famer and media personality Shannon Sharpe is facing a lawsuit, accused of sexual assault and battery, and engaging in the intentional infliction of emotional distress.
The lawsuit was filed Sunday in Clark County, Nevada, and obtained by USA TODAY Sports. The plaintiff, listed under the alias ‘Jane Doe,’ said she was in a relationship with Sharpe for nearly two years, and it began as a ‘rocky consensual relationship.’
The woman, who is seeking $50 million in damages, said she met Sharpe at a Los Angeles gym in 2023 when she was 19 and alleges in the lawsuit that Sharpe, who is currently 56 years old, sexually assaulted her twice, once in October 2024 and again in January 2025.
In a statement released Monday, Sharpe’s attorney Lanny J. Davis called the lawsuit ‘a blatant and cynical attempt to shake down Mr. Sharpe for millions of dollars. It is filled with lies, distortions, and misrepresentations – and it will not succeed.’
The woman says Sharpe became violent over the course of the relationship, threatened to kill her during one incident, and recorded their sexual encounters without her consent.
‘Sharpe flew into fits of anger when Plaintiff noted his infidelity to their relationship, or called him out about his extraneous activities,’ the lawsuit said. ‘What had once been manipulation, control and intimidation now became something far more dangerous and sinister. Sharpe even figured out how to get into Doe’s apartment complex without her permission.’
‘Sharpe made it clear that what Doe wanted was of no moment, that Sharpe would get what he wanted, when he wanted it. In October 2024, Shannon Sharpe violently sexually assaulted’ the plaintiff on two separate occasions in Las Vegas, ignoring her requests to stop, the lawsuit says.
‘Jane Doe’ is represented by attorneys Tony Buzbee and Micah Nash. Buzbee was part of the legal team that won settlements against Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson after more than two dozen massage therapists accused him of sexual misconduct.
Davis’ statement included several explicit text messages allegedly sent from Doe to Sharpe in order to ‘set the record straight.’
‘Mr. Sharpe categorically denies all allegations of coercion or misconduct — especially the gross lie of ‘rape’ — and will not submit to what he sees as an egregious attempt at blackmail,’ Davis said in the statement. ‘He stands firmly by the truth and is prepared to fight these false claims vigorously in court. He looks forward to vindication through due process and a judgment based on facts and the law.’
Sharpe, a three-time Super Bowl-winning tight end, has his own successful podcast, ‘Club Shay Shay,’ and makes regular appearances on ESPN’s First Take. It was reported last week that Sharpe is eyeing a new podcast deal in excess of $100 million.
(This story was updated to include new information.)