Shannon Sharpe Takes Break From ESPN’s ‘First Take’ After Rape Accusation and $50 Million Lawsuit – Variety
2025-04-24T19:15:00Z
Shannon Sharpe will take a weeks long break from duties on ESPN’s First Take following accusations of rape and a $50 million lawsuit
Shannon Sharpe has offered his last words on ESPN‘s “First Take” for the foreseeable future in the wake of accusastions and a $50 million lawsuit from a Nevada woman who alleges the former NFL player raped and threatened her in the c ourse of a two-year relationship.
In a statement posted on X, Sharpe said he was “electing to step aside temporarily” from his duties at Walt Disney’s ESPN, where he is featured prominently on “First Take,” the hot-talk sports roundtable led by Stephen A. Smith. He said he “plans to return to ESPN at the start of the NFL preseason.”
ESPN said in a statement Thursday that “This is a serious situation, and we agree with Shannon’s decision to step away.” His absence is likely to give the network and is parent company the time required to determine whether Sharpe should continue on its talent roster.
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“The relationship in question was 100% consensual,” Sharpe said in the statement, adding that “I will be devoting this time to my family, and responding and dealing with these false and disruptive allegations set against me.”
Sharpe typically appears on “First Take” on Mondays and Tuesdays, and also hosts a podcast called “Club Shay Shay.”
Recognized as one of the greatest NFL tight ends in history, Sharpe, who played predominantly with the Denver Broncos, gained traction as a sportscaster by holding forth with Skip Bayless on Fox Sports’ “Undisputed.” He joined ESPN as a “First Take” contributor in 2023 and ESPN unveiled a new pact in 2024 under which Sharpe was to expand his presence on the popular program.
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