Shannon Sharpe allegedly choked a feminine manufacturing assistant at Fox Sports activities 1 years earlier than he was accused of rape in a bombshell $50 million lawsuit.
The NFL legend was accused of bodily assaulting the worker within the office throughout his time co-hosting the “Undisputed” discuss present between 2016 and 2023, two insiders claimed to Entrance Workplace Sports activities Thursday.
In line with one supply, Sharpe and Fox allegedly settled with the accuser for a number of hundred thousand {dollars}. No lawsuit was filed relating to the alleged incident.
Nevertheless, a consultant for the ESPN character, 56, denied the allegations in a press release to the outlet.
“There was no incident of choking involving Shannon on the FS1 set,” his spokesperson claimed.
“On one event, he and some colleagues have been concerned in some mild bodily interplay in a playful context. Fox Sports activities later selected to resolve the matter privately.”
Reps for Sharpe and Fox Sports activities didn’t instantly reply to Web page Six’s requests for remark.
The allegations got here to mild after Sharpe was accused of rape and battery in a lawsuit filed in Nevada on Sunday.
Per the paperwork obtained by Web page Six, a girl, solely recognized as Jane Doe, accused the sports activities broadcaster of sexually assaulting her a number of instances between late 2024 and early 2025.
Doe, who’s allegedly in her early 20s, claimed she was concerned in a “rocky” years-long relationship with Sharpe after they met at a Los Angeles health club in 2023.
“He demanded full management over her time and physique, anticipating her to be at his home on his schedule, at his command, every time he referred to as,” Tony Buzbee, the plaintiff’s legal professional, claimed within the lawsuit.
Doe claimed she tried to interrupt issues off with Sharpe after he was allegedly heard having intercourse on Instagram Stay in September 2024. On the time, he claimed that his account had been hacked.
She claimed the TV character raped her in retaliation that October.
She claimed the second incident occurred in January when he allegedly came to visit to her home underneath the guise of giving her a Christmas present.
A rep for Sharpe denied all of the allegations in a press release to Web page Six, saying he “won’t undergo what he sees as an egregious try at blackmail.”
Sharpe additionally responded to the accusations in a video posted by way of Instagram Tuesday.
“[The woman] and Tony Buzbee need $50 million. What they’re getting is sued for defamation and making an attempt to take me down,” the previous NFL star stated.
“My profession is all about actual discuss and honesty. I do know my household and followers know precisely what that is about, and I’m going to be on the market telling you no matter I have to say, similar to I at all times do. I like all you guys. Thanks.”
On Thursday, Sharpe introduced he can be “quickly” stepping away from ESPN to battle the lawsuit.
