Shannon Sharpe Faces $50M Lawsuit From Woman Alleging Repeated Sexual Abuse

Shannon Sharpe, host of the “Club Shay Shay” podcast, is being sued for $50 million in a civil case filed by attorney Tony Buzbee, alleging multiple instances of sexual assault. (Photo via Club Shay Shay)

Hall of Fame tight end and rising media mogul Shannon Sharpe is facing serious legal trouble just days after making headlines for reportedly seeking a nine-figure podcast deal.

A civil lawsuit filed Sunday in Nevada accuses the 56-year-old of sexually assaulting a woman on multiple occasions between late 2024 and early 2025, following what her lawyers describe as a “rocky, abusive relationship.” The woman, identified only as “Jane Doe,” is seeking over $50 million in damages for claims that include sexual battery, assault, and intentional infliction of emotional distress.

According to the 13-page complaint, the two first met in 2023 at a Los Angeles gym when the plaintiff was 20. She alleges Sharpe began pursuing her aggressively, ultimately coercing her into a relationship characterized by verbal abuse and controlling behavior. One alleged incident involved Sharpe threatening to kill her after he discovered she was attempting to share her location with friends for safety, while a firearm was visible in the room.

The suit claims the first assault occurred in October 2024, after Doe attempted to cut off contact following a livestreaming incident in which Sharpe allegedly broadcast himself having sex — though the woman in the video was not the plaintiff. The complaint says Sharpe showed up uninvited at her apartment and raped her while she was “crying and sobbing.”

A second alleged incident occurred in January 2025, when Sharpe visited her under the pretense of bringing a birthday and Christmas gift but again sexually assaulted her, this time without protection despite her protests.

“Shannon Sharpe… refused to accept the answer no and raped Plaintiff, despite her sobbing and repeated screams of ‘no,’” the lawsuit states.

Attorney Tony Buzbee, known for representing more than 20 women in lawsuits against NFL quarterback Deshaun Watson, is leading the case along with Micah Nash.

“It takes a great deal of courage to stand up against those with power, fame and money,” Buzbee said in a statement. “I look forward to pressing this case in court.”

The lawsuit also accuses Sharpe of secretly filming their sexual encounters and sharing the footage without her knowledge — allegations that appear to reference Sharpe’s September 2024 Instagram Live mishap, which went viral and drew public scrutiny.

Sharpe has not publicly responded to the lawsuit as of press time. He has not been criminally charged.

The civil complaint comes at a pivotal moment in Sharpe’s media career. Just last week, Front Office Sports reported that Sharpe is negotiating a podcasting deal worth over $100 million as his contract with The Volume expires. His “Club Shay Shay” YouTube channel boasts nearly 4 million subscribers, and his January 2024 interview with comedian Katt Williams has amassed over 89 million views. Sharpe also co-hosts “Nightcap” with Chad “Ochocinco” Johnson and frequently appears on ESPN’s “First Take.”