Shannon Sharpe Denies Allegations in $50 Million Sexual Assault and Battery Lawsuit
ESPN personality and online sports media influencer Shannon Sharpe is facing allegations of sexual misconduct. Sharpe, a former NFL player for the Denver Broncos and Baltimore Ravens, is a member of the NFL Pro Football Hall of Fame. He currently works on ESPN’s “First Take” as well as various other shows for his Media company, Shay Shay Media. The Hall of Famer’s legal representatives have already taken to social media in his defense. We will give you a quick rundown of everything going on in this article.
Shannon Sharpe’s Lawyer Dismisses Claims
In a post shared to social media on Sharpe’s account, Lanny J. Davis, counsel to the media personality addressed allegations made against his client. “This lawsuit, filed by Gabrielle Zuniga and orchestrated by her attorney, Tony Buzbee is a blatant and cynical attempt to shake down Mr. Sharpe for millions of dollars. It is filled with lies, distortions, and misrepresentations – and it will not succeed.” This is the thesis of the statement released by Sharpe’s team, following some released text messages from the accuser.
The statement also goes on to say that Ms. Zuniga presented Mr. Sharpe with an edited video of a secretly recorded sexual encounter. According to the statement, this video was edited to make a consensual act appear to be nonconsensual. The statement also claims that Ms. Zuniga and her legal team have refused to provide a full, unedited version of the recording to the media personality’s legal team.
What Does Each Side Claim In this Case?
Sharpe’s legal team denies all wrongdoing on behalf of their client. They alleged that consensual sex took place between Sharpe and Zuniga until January 2, 2025. This was the day after she had allegedly asked him for “$25,000 per cheek,” referring to her anatomy, according to the statement by his legal team.
The woman is seeking $50 million in damages. She claims she met him at a Los Angeles gym in 2023 when she was 19 and alleges in the lawsuit that Sharpe sexually assaulted her twice. Once in October 2024 and again in January 2025.
“Sharpe flew into fits of anger when Plaintiff noted his infidelity to their relationship or called him out about his extraneous activities,” the lawsuit said. “What had once been manipulation, control, and intimidation now became something far more dangerous and sinister. Sharpe even figured out how to get into Doe’s apartment complex without her permission.”
The lawsuit alleges the tight end became violent throughout the relationship, threatened to kill her during one incident, and recorded their sexual encounters without her consent. Buzbee, Zuniga’s attorney was part of the legal team that won settlements against Cleveland Browns Quarterback Deshaun Watson after more than two dozen massage therapists accused him of sexual misconduct.
