It’s been a chaotic few weeks in sports media, and at the center of it all is NFL Hall of Famer and ESPN host Shannon Sharpe. What started as whispers around an accidental Instagram Live has escalated into a serious civil lawsuit involving sexual assault allegations , leaked videos, and a public legal back-and-forth. If you’ve been confused trying to piece it all together, don’t worry, we’ve got you.
Here’s the full breakdown of what’s going on with the Shannon Sharpe case, when it started, what evidence is out there, who’s involved, and where it’s headed.
Shannon Sharpe is being sued for sexual assault and emotional abuse by a woman he allegedly dated for nearly two years
In April 2025, a woman filed a civil lawsuit in Nevada against Shannon Sharpe, accusing him of sexual assault, battery, emotional distress, and the non-consensual recording and distribution of intimate videos. She’s seeking over $50 million in damages. The lawsuit claims the two were in a relationship from 2023 to 2024, starting when she was 20 years old. According to her, what seemed consensual at first turned into a pattern of coercion, abuse, and surveillance.
Sharpe, on the other hand, is denying everything. His legal team says the relationship was entirely consensual and involved role-playing. They’ve painted the lawsuit as a “cash grab,” revealing that the plaintiff allegedly turned down a $10 million settlement offer before filing. So now, it's a civil war with two very different stories being told.
The woman is being represented by Tony Buzbee , while Shannon Sharpe has tapped a high-profile crisis lawyer to lead his defense
If the name Tony Buzbee rings a bell, that’s because he’s represented some very famous (and very controversial) figures before like Deshaun Watson and Sean "Diddy" Combs. Known for taking on high-profile sexual misconduct cases, Buzbee is the one filing the lawsuit on behalf of “Jane Doe.”
On the other side, Shannon Sharpe has hired Lanny J. Davis , a seasoned crisis lawyer with ties to Washington, D.C. Davis has made it clear they’re not just defending against the lawsuit, they’re preparing to countersue for defamation. So buckle up, this isn’t going away quietly.
Leaked videos, Instagram Live accidents, and conflicting audio clips are all in play as both sides fight for the narrative
One of the wildest parts of this whole case? The video evidence. Buzbee claims there’s a 10-minute clip that is “incredibly damning,” though only about 30 seconds of it have been referenced publicly so far. Sharpe’s team is calling the footage misleading and demanding that the entire video be released.
On top of that, there’s an audio recording where a man believed to be Sharpe is heard making what some interpreted as threatening comments. Again, Sharpe’s side says it was part of a consensual argument taken out of context.
And let’s not forget the Instagram Live incident , this might’ve kicked everything into motion. In September 2024, Sharpe accidentally broadcasted audio of a sexual encounter on IG Live. At first, he blamed hackers. Later, he admitted it was just a slip-up. That incident reportedly embarrassed the plaintiff and contributed to the breakdown of their relationship.
Here's a full timeline of how the Shannon Sharpe lawsuit unfolded and where things stand now
Also read - Shannon Sharpe sued for sexual assault yet ESPN’s 'First Take' will go on like nothing happened
Here’s the full breakdown of what’s going on with the Shannon Sharpe case, when it started, what evidence is out there, who’s involved, and where it’s headed.
Shannon Sharpe is being sued for sexual assault and emotional abuse by a woman he allegedly dated for nearly two years
Jane Doe, aka ‘Gabbi’ Zuniga, the 20-year-old OnlyFans girl who’s suing Shannon Sharpe, age 54, for $50 million after he offered her $10 million to keep quiet, has been revealed. 😳 pic.twitter.com/LDWyh4N6KJ
— Rain Drops Media (@Raindropsmedia1) April 22, 2025
In April 2025, a woman filed a civil lawsuit in Nevada against Shannon Sharpe, accusing him of sexual assault, battery, emotional distress, and the non-consensual recording and distribution of intimate videos. She’s seeking over $50 million in damages. The lawsuit claims the two were in a relationship from 2023 to 2024, starting when she was 20 years old. According to her, what seemed consensual at first turned into a pattern of coercion, abuse, and surveillance.
— shannon sharpe (@ShannonSharpe) April 22, 2025
Sharpe, on the other hand, is denying everything. His legal team says the relationship was entirely consensual and involved role-playing. They’ve painted the lawsuit as a “cash grab,” revealing that the plaintiff allegedly turned down a $10 million settlement offer before filing. So now, it's a civil war with two very different stories being told.
The woman is being represented by Tony Buzbee , while Shannon Sharpe has tapped a high-profile crisis lawyer to lead his defense
If the name Tony Buzbee rings a bell, that’s because he’s represented some very famous (and very controversial) figures before like Deshaun Watson and Sean "Diddy" Combs. Known for taking on high-profile sexual misconduct cases, Buzbee is the one filing the lawsuit on behalf of “Jane Doe.”
On the other side, Shannon Sharpe has hired Lanny J. Davis , a seasoned crisis lawyer with ties to Washington, D.C. Davis has made it clear they’re not just defending against the lawsuit, they’re preparing to countersue for defamation. So buckle up, this isn’t going away quietly.
Leaked videos, Instagram Live accidents, and conflicting audio clips are all in play as both sides fight for the narrative
One of the wildest parts of this whole case? The video evidence. Buzbee claims there’s a 10-minute clip that is “incredibly damning,” though only about 30 seconds of it have been referenced publicly so far. Sharpe’s team is calling the footage misleading and demanding that the entire video be released.
Leaked texts reveal Shannon Sharpe’s accuser confronted him about unprotected sex: “no means no Shannon.” pic.twitter.com/5btkLm7fmq
— No Jumper (@nojumper) April 23, 2025
On top of that, there’s an audio recording where a man believed to be Sharpe is heard making what some interpreted as threatening comments. Again, Sharpe’s side says it was part of a consensual argument taken out of context.
TMZ obtained an audio recording from attorney Buzbee of Shannon Sharpe threatening to choke his accuser
— FearBuck (@FearedBuck) April 22, 2025
"If you say that word one more time, I'ma f*****g choke the sh*t out of you when I see you." pic.twitter.com/Y24o3R8M35
And let’s not forget the Instagram Live incident , this might’ve kicked everything into motion. In September 2024, Sharpe accidentally broadcasted audio of a sexual encounter on IG Live. At first, he blamed hackers. Later, he admitted it was just a slip-up. That incident reportedly embarrassed the plaintiff and contributed to the breakdown of their relationship.
Here's a full timeline of how the Shannon Sharpe lawsuit unfolded and where things stand now
- 2023: Sharpe and the plaintiff allegedly begin their relationship. She was 20 years old at the time. The lawsuit says the abuse started within this period.
- Sept 2024: That infamous Instagram Live stream happens. Sharpe accidentally plays audio of himself in a sexual act. He first denies involvement, then later owns up and apologizes publicly.
- Early 2025: Settlement talks reportedly take place. According to Sharpe’s lawyers, the plaintiff rejected a $10 million offer, opting instead to sue.
- April 18, 2025: The civil lawsuit is officially filed in Nevada court. It includes claims of rape, battery, emotional distress, and unauthorized filming.
- April 21–22, 2025: Sharpe fires back, denying all allegations and calling the suit a “shakedown.” Texts and other materials are leaked to the press by both sides.
- April 23, 2025 (Current): The case is ongoing. No criminal charges have been filed, but the civil lawsuit is progressing. Media outlets, fans, and legal analysts are watching closely as the court weighs what’s real and what’s rumor.
Also read - Shannon Sharpe sued for sexual assault yet ESPN’s 'First Take' will go on like nothing happened
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