Shannon Sharpe announces he will temporarily step away from ESPN

Shannon Sharpe briefly steps away from ESPN after being accused of sexual violence and battery in a lawsuit of $ 50 million that was filed on Sunday.

Sharpe, who denied all allegations towards him, launched a press release on Thursday.

“My rationalization may be discovered right here and that is the reality. The connection in query was 100% consensual. In the mean time I select to briefly step except for my ESPN duties,” Sharpe wrote in a press release.

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February 7, 2023; Los Angeles, California, US; Former NFL participant Shannon Sharpe attends the sport between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder in Crypto.com Enviornment. (Gary A. Vasquez-usa As we speak Sports activities)

“This time I’ll dedicate to my household and reply and cope with these false and disruptive accusations towards me. I’m planning to return to ESPN firstly of the NFL earlier than season.

“I sincerely recognize the overwhelming and steady help I obtained from my household, followers, mates and colleagues.”

ESPN additionally issued a press release after the announcement of Sharpe, says Front Office Sports “It is a severe scenario and we agree with Shannon’s choice to get away.”

Stephen A. Smith breaks silence about co-guestheer Shannon Sharpe’s accusations of sexual violence: ‘Unhappy scenario’

Sharpe was accused of abuse, sexual abuse, battery and sexual battery by a lady who was on the finish of 2024 and early 2025 19 when the alleged actions occurred. The lawsuit, submitted by Tony Buzbee in a court docket of Nevada, is searching for $ 50 million compensation.

Sharpe and his lawyer, Lanny J. Davis, have denied all allegations towards the Professional Soccer Corridor of Famer. Davis additionally admitted throughout a press convention {that a} settlement value $ 10 million was provided to the claimant in “the final month or so”, however she withdrew. Davis mentioned he and Sharpe have been each blind due to the civilian swimsuit.

An audio clip was just lately given to TMZ By Buzbee, who reveals a person who appears to be Sharpe and says he would publicly suffocate the plaintiff.

“Huge Black Man chokes little white lady,” says the person who is claimed to be Sharpe within the Audioclip after a break.

“It isn’t a great look, Shannon,” the prosecutor replies.

March 16, 2024; Los Angeles, California, US; Shannon Sharpe throughout the second quarter between the Golden State Warriors and Los Angeles Lakers in Crypto.com Enviornment. (Jason Parkhurst-usa As we speak Sports activities)

Davis beforehand unveiled a sequence of SMS messages which are mentioned to be of Doe, which he says it reveals a consensual relationship. Davis claims that the connection was “fantasy” and “position play”.

Davis has issued a protracted assertion that Sharpe shared on his social media accounts on Monday. Within the message Davis shared the sexually express messages.

Sharpe additionally launched a video on X previous to the Davis press convention on Tuesday, the place he referred to as the authorized motion of the prosecutor a “Shakedown”. He additionally mentioned that Buzbee is planning to launch a processed intercourse tape to help his buyer’s claims.

“It is a shakedown. I will probably be open, clear and defend myself as a result of this isn’t proper. That is all orchestrated by Tony Buzbee,” Sharpe mentioned. “Tony Buzbee focuses on black males, and I consider he’ll launch a clip of 30 seconds of a intercourse tape that tries to make me look responsible and play in each stereotype imaginable.”

Nfl Corridor of Famer Shannon Sharpe accused of sexual violence, battery in $ 50 million lawsuit

Buzbee would launch a press release after the video message of Sharpe and Davis’s press convention, which confirms the feedback of the latter in regards to the earlier proposed regulation. He additionally denied that each video of the plaintiff was modified, and mentioned that the assertion of Sharpe ‘was demonstrably incorrect, but additionally determined’.

“There may be certainly an extremely rattling video,” Buzbee added in his rationalization. “The content material of that video speaks volumes about Mr. Sharpe and his conduct. That video, which will probably be performed on the jury, is extraordinarily problematic for Mr. Sharpe. The Sharpe group, as I anticipated, revealed the existence of this video in an try and attempt to precede that effort will fall flat.”

Buzbee is understood for its settlements gained for the ladies who accused Cleveland Browns Quarterback Deshaun Watson of sexual violence.

“The Sharpe group is now making an attempt to discredit her and kill her. Sharpe and his group are actually additionally attacking me. We is not going to be delay by these techniques,” Buzbee wrote in an Instagram caption.

Davis mentioned in his press convention {that a} counterclaim will probably be submitted on behalf of Sharpe.

Shannon Sharpe speaks on stage throughout the 2024 Renderatl Tech Convention on Americasmart Atlanta on June 14, 2024 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Paras Griffin/Getty photographs)

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Sharpe’s ESPN colleague on “First Take”, Stephen A. Smith just lately broke his silence in regards to the difficulty and referred to as it a “unhappy scenario”. He mentioned he spoke with Sharpe, who “emphatically proclaims his innocence.”

“In accordance with Mr Buzbee, his shopper explicitly publicizes his fault,” Smith added to his personal podcast. “So the place does that depart us? I wish to let you know that I do know the reply to that query, however I do not do this. “

Fox Information’ Paulina Dedaj has contributed to this report.

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