• Shannon Sharpe faces a $50 million lawsuit accusing him of sexual assault and battery.
• He has announced a temporary leave from his ESPN duties as he addresses the allegations.
• The lawsuit claims nonconsensual acts during a nearly two-year relationship.

Shannon Sharpe, a former NFL champion and current ESPN personality, is facing a civil lawsuit that accuses him of sexual assault. The lawsuit, filed in Clark County, Nevada, seeks $50 million in damages and alleges that Sharpe assaulted a woman, dubbed "Jane Doe," during a nearly two-year relationship that began in 2023. The accuser maintains that the relationship was ultimately abusive and featured multiple instances of nonconsensual sexual encounters, including some alleged incidents occurring recently as January 2025. Sharpe has categorically denied the allegations, stating, "The relationship in question was 100% consensual," and calling the lawsuit a "shakedown," according to BBC, Los Angeles Times, and HuffPost.

In light of the allegations, Sharpe announced he would take a temporary leave of absence from his duties at ESPN, explaining he intends to focus on his family while addressing the claims against him. In his statement, he expressed gratitude for the support he has received, indicating a desire to return for the upcoming NFL season. ESPN has supported his decision, acknowledging the serious nature of the situation, according to Los Angeles Times and HuffPost.

The lawsuit outlines several disturbing accusations, including instances where Sharpe allegedly coerced the woman into nonconsensual sexual activities, asserting that he manipulated her throughout their relationship. The woman’s claims further detail extensive emotional distress as a result of their interactions. Sharpe has made headlines for prior incidents related to his personal life, including a previous unintentional livestreaming of an intimate encounter on Instagram, emphasizing the scrutiny surrounding his off-field behavior, according to BBC and HuffPost.