Shannon Sharpe has reportedly parted ways with ESPN following the settlement of a high-profile sexual assault lawsuit filed earlier this year.
According to reports, the former NFL star and television personality is no longer with the network after quietly reaching a confidential settlement in a $50 million lawsuit brought by Gabriella Zuniga in April 2025. The lawsuit, filed in Nevada, alleged multiple incidents of sexual assault, rape, and emotional distress. Sharpe denied all allegations.
Though neither ESPN nor Sharpe has publicly confirmed the separation, sources say the split was finalized in the wake of the settlement, which was reached on July 18 and led to the dismissal of the case with prejudice—meaning it cannot be refiled. ESPN reportedly opted not to bring Sharpe back to First Take, where he had been a marquee guest debater alongside Stephen A. Smith since joining the show in August 2023.
Sharpe had stepped away from his ESPN duties shortly after the lawsuit became public, with his last appearance airing in late April. At the time, he stated that he intended to return once the legal matter was resolved.
In the meantime, Sharpe has remained active in the media space through his independently operated podcasts, Club Shay Shay and Nightcap, which have maintained strong followings on platforms like YouTube and social media.
The case adds to a pattern of legal scrutiny surrounding Sharpe’s media career. Reports resurfaced earlier this year of a 2021 incident during his time at FS1’s Undisputed, in which a former production assistant accused him of choking her during an altercation. That matter was reportedly settled out of court, and Sharpe has also denied any wrongdoing in that case.
Though ESPN has not issued a formal statement, multiple sources confirmed the network’s decision not to reinstate Sharpe after the lawsuit’s resolution. As of now, no replacement for his role on First Take has been announced.