‘Club Shay Shay’ Host Shannon Sharpe Denies Violent Rape Allegations, But His $100M Deal Goes Up In Smoke

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by Katherine ManzMay 5, 2025, 5:55 pm >

NFL Hall of Famer and media personality Shannon Sharpe is currently facing two separate sexual assault lawsuits, following violent incidents in 1995 and 2004 where he was charged with battery.

Plaintiff Michele Bundy Evans, one of Sharpe’s former girlfriends, alleges “controlling and verbal abuse,” violent behavior, and sexual assault.

“He demanded complete control over her time and body, expecting her to be at his house on his schedule, at his command, whenever he called,” wrote attorney Tony Buzbee.

Another woman, who brought charges under the pseudonym Jane Doe, alleged a violent and manipulative relationship with Sharpe that began in 2023, when she was 19 years old. She alleges that she was “violently sexually assaulted and anally raped” in a series of nonconsensual encounters that stretched over months.

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Sharpe and his legal team deny the allegations, describing them as “a blatant and cynical attempt to shake down Mr. Sharpe for millions of dollars.” Meanwhile, Sharpe posted a text-message screenshot on X that was seemingly meant to be copied and pasted as his own statement, drawing ridicule from the public.

“My statement is found here and this is the truth. The relationship in question was 100% consensual,” read the statement. “At this juncture I am electing to step aside temporarily from my ESPN duties. I will be devoting time to my family, and responding and dealing with these false and disruptive allegations set against me. I plan to return to ESPN at the start of the NFL preseason.

“I sincerely appreciate the overwhelming and ongoing support I have received from my family, fans, friends, and colleagues.”

Sharpe’s flagship show, Club Shay Shay, along with other shows and podcasts under the Shay Shay network, had reportedly been on the verge of a new $100 million deal. “The podcast deals are off the table” as a result of the allegations coming out, one source said. Sharpe may even be replaced on First Take, with Jason Kelce as a potential option.

Regardless of the lawsuits’ outcome, damage has been done.