© Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images
You will not be seeing Shannon Sharpe on ESPN’s airwaves for a bit. Earlier this week, a woman going under the alias Jane Doe accused Sharpe of sexually assaulting her several times during their two-year relationship.
The woman, who is hired Tony Buzbee and is seeking $50 million in damages, would later release text messages and audio recordings to prove Sharpe’s abuse.
TMZ obtained an audio recording from attorney Buzbee of Shannon Sharpe threatening to choke his accuser
“If you say that word one more time, I’ma f*****g choke the sh*t out of you when I see you.” pic.twitter.com/Y24o3R8M35
— FearBuck (@FearedBuck) April 22, 2025
On Thursday afternoon, Sharpe revealed that he would be temporarily stepping aside from his ESPN duties until he can clear his name.
“My statement is found here and this is the truth. The relationship in question was 100 percent consensual.”
“At this juncture I am electing to step aside temporarily from my ESPN duties.”
“I will be devoting this time to my family, and responding and dealing with these false and disruptive allegations set against me. I plan to return to ESPN at the start of the NFL preseason.”
ESPN released a statement reacting to Sharpe’s decision to step away.
ESPN issues statement on Shannon Sharpe’s decision to step down temporarily as he deals with sex scandal:
“This is a serious situation, and we agree with Shannon’s decision to step away.”
— Michael McCarthy (@MMcCarthyREV) April 24, 2025
While Sharpe is taking a break from ESPN, he does not seem to be stepping away from his Nightcap YouTube show.