NFL Hall of Famer and popular podcast host Shannon Sharpe is facing a $50 million sexual assault lawsuit in Nevada, brought by a woman who alleges he used his celebrity status to manipulate and abuse her over the course of a nearly two-year relationship. The woman, now in her early 20s, claims she met the former football star in 2023 at a Los Angeles gym when she was 19.
In court documents filed this week, the plaintiff accused the 56-year-old Sharpe of rape, emotional abuse, and coercion, alleging that he repeatedly threatened her and, at times, forced her into non-consensual acts. She also claims that Sharpe secretly recorded some of their encounters and shared those videos with his friends and associates. According to the lawsuit, the most recent alleged assault occurred as recently as January.
“After many months of manipulating and controlling Plaintiff… and repeatedly threatening to brutally choke and violently slap her, Sharpe refused to accept the answer no and raped Plaintiff, despite her sobbing and repeated screams,” the complaint reads.
The lawsuit does not name any additional accusers but accuses Sharpe of harming more women beyond the plaintiff. It seeks more than $50 million in compensatory and punitive damages.
Sharpe, who has over 4 million subscribers on his Club Shay Shay podcast and is reportedly negotiating a $100 million media deal, has vehemently denied the allegations. In a video posted to Instagram on Tuesday night, he called the lawsuit a “shakedown,” pledging to be transparent in defending himself.
“This is a shakedown,” Sharpe said. “I’m going to be open, transparent, and defend myself because this isn’t right.”
He specifically called out the plaintiff’s attorney, Tony Buzbee, accusing him of filing a fraudulent case and threatening a countersuit for defamation. Buzbee is known for representing high-profile clients, including several women who accused NFL quarterback Deshaun Watson of sexual misconduct.
Sharpe also claimed that Buzbee intends to release a selectively edited 30-second clip from an alleged sex tape, warning that it would be misleading. “That video should actually be 10 minutes or so,” Sharpe said. “Hey, Tony, instead of releasing your edit, put the whole video out. I don’t have it, or I would myself.”
This isn’t the first time Sharpe has faced public scrutiny over his digital activity. Last year, he accidentally livestreamed an intimate encounter to his millions of Instagram followers, later apologising and saying the platform’s “Live” feature was mistakenly activated.
Sharpe, a three-time Super Bowl champion, spent 14 seasons in the NFL and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2011. He has since built a prominent career in sports media and podcasting.
Melissa Enoch
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