Shannon Sharpe, the former NFL star and current ESPN personality, is embroiled in a serious legal battle following allegations of sexual assault made against him. The lawsuit, which seeks $50 million in damages, was filed by a woman identified only as Jane Doe on April 20, 2025, in Nevada. This case has rapidly escalated, fueled by the release of audio recordings that paint Sharpe in a troubling light.
On April 22, 2025, TMZ published audio from a phone call between Sharpe and his accuser, during which he allegedly made aggressive remarks. In the recording, Sharpe is heard saying, "Lord have mercy. If you say that word one more time, I will fcking choke the sht out of you when I see you." This audio was released while Sharpe was on the air for his show, First Take, and has since sparked widespread controversy.
In response to the allegations, Sharpe took to social media to vehemently deny any wrongdoing. In a passionate video statement, he described the lawsuit as a "shakedown," orchestrated by high-profile attorney Tony Buzbee, who has a history of representing clients in sexual misconduct cases. Sharpe accused Buzbee of targeting Black men, citing previous cases involving celebrities such as Jay-Z. "This is all being orchestrated by Tony Buzbee, who has targeted Jay-Z," Sharpe stated. "Tony Buzbee targets Black men, and I believe he’s going to release a 30-second clip of a sex tape that tries to make me look guilty and plays into every stereotype you could possibly imagine."
Sharpe's allegations extend to the nature of his relationship with the plaintiff, whom he identified as Gabriella Zuniga, also known as Carly on OnlyFans. He claimed that their encounters were consensual and occurred during the day at her invitation. "Gabby and Tony Buzbee want $50 million. What they’re getting is sued for defamation and trying to take me down," he asserted in his video.
As the situation unfolds, Sharpe has indicated that he plans to file a defamation lawsuit against both Zuniga and Buzbee. His attorney, Lanny Davis, expressed similar sentiments, calling the lawsuit a "blatant and cynical attempt to shake down Mr. Sharpe for millions of dollars." Davis has also announced plans for a press conference to provide further insights into Sharpe’s perspective.
Details from the lawsuit reveal that Zuniga claims to have met Sharpe at a gym in Los Angeles in 2023 when she was just 20 years old. She described their relationship as both consensual and controlling, alleging that Sharpe was verbally abusive and demanded complete control over her time and body. According to the lawsuit, the alleged assaults occurred after their relationship began to deteriorate, following claims of infidelity on Sharpe's part.
Despite the serious nature of the allegations, Sharpe remains defiant. He has publicly stated that he will not back down and intends to fight the claims vigorously in court. "My career is all about real talk and honesty. I know my family and fans know exactly what this is about," he said. "And I’m going to be out there telling you whatever I need to say, just like I always do."
The release of the audio recording has ignited a heated debate on social media, with many supporters rallying behind Sharpe, while others caution against jumping to conclusions given the gravity of the allegations. The public discourse surrounding this case has been intense, with commentators analyzing the implications of the audio and the broader context of sexual assault claims in the sports world.
Sharpe's legal team has also released explicit text messages allegedly sent by Zuniga to bolster their defense, arguing that these communications reflect a consensual relationship and discredit the plaintiff's claims. However, Buzbee has countered that these texts were sent prior to the alleged assaults and labeled the release of such messages as an attempt to "dox" his client.
As the legal proceedings continue, the case is poised to be one of the most high-profile civil disputes in recent memory, with implications that could significantly impact Sharpe's career and public image. As of now, no criminal charges have been filed against him, and the lawsuit remains a civil matter. The outcome of this case will depend on how the evidence is presented and interpreted in court.
Shannon Sharpe's response to these allegations has set the stage for a contentious legal battle, with claims of extortion, edited tapes, and a hefty financial demand at stake. The coming weeks will be crucial in determining how this story unfolds, as both sides prepare for what promises to be a lengthy legal process. For now, Sharpe stands firm in his defense, proclaiming his innocence and vowing to fight back against what he perceives as a coordinated attack.
