Credit: Video Screenshot, ESPNFor more than ten years, Shannon Sharpe was one of the shining stars in the National Football League, spending most of his career with the Denver Broncos and a couple of seasons with the Baltimore Ravens. Shortly after his professional career ended, Sharpe became a commentator for the CBS pregame show The NFL Today. He also appeared on the Sprint Halftime Report and the Subway Postgame Show.
Sharpe has appeared on several sports programs in the years since first working for The NFL Today. Then, in August 2023, Sharpe was announced as a recurring panelist on the popular ESPN show First Take. He was a hit with fans and signed a contract extension in 2024.
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Now, just one year later, Sharpe’s career at ESPN has come to a grinding halt, and it might be nearly impossible to get it back on track.
In April 2025, Mr. Sharpe was named as a defendant in a civil lawsuit filed by OnlyFans model Gabriella Zuniga. The lawsuit alleged that Sharpe had committed “assault, sexual assault, battery, and sexual battery” against her, and further accused the former athlete of “intentional infliction of emotional distress.” Ms. Zuniga was seeking more than $50 million in compensatory and punitive damages.
Sharpe immediately denied the accusations, accusing Ms. Zuniga of a “shakedown,” saying she just wanted money from him. Mr. Sharpe’s lawyers admitted that Mr. Sharpe had tried to settle for $10 million. A recording was later leaked, which appeared to show Mr. Sharpe threatening to harm Ms. Zuniga if she continued to accuse him of rape.
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After the lawsuit was filed, Sharpe stopped appearing on ESPN, but he was not fired from the company. However, that has now changed after a bombshell report that revealed Sharpe settled with Ms. Zuniga for almost all the $50 million she was looking for.
According to TheWrap, ESPN — which is owned by Disney — fired Sharpe after the lawsuit was settled.
Former NFL star and media analyst Shannon Sharpe will no longer appear on ESPN, TheWrap has learned, just a few weeks after settling a $50 million lawsuit, in which his ex-girlfriend accused him of rape.
Following the $50 million settlement July 19, a lawyer representing his ex said in a statement that “both sides acknowledge a long-term consensual and tumultuous relationship.” No criminal charges were filed against Sharpe after his payout.
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USA Today reported that Sharpe was “at peace” with ESPN’s decision, but wished that they had held off on announcing his firing until August 4. Sharpe’s brother, Sterling, is set to be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame on August 2. Sharpe said that he is upset that his firing will now possibly overshadow his brother’s accomplishment.
Neither Disney nor ESPN has commented on Sharpe’s firing.
Do you think Disney and ESPN did the right thing by firing Shannon Sharpe after he settled his rape lawsuit? Or do you think they should have fired him back in April, instead of letting him temporarily step down? Do you think ESPN and Disney didn’t take the accusations seriously enough? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.