'Club Shay Shay' Host Shannon Sharpe Sued Over Alleged Sexual Assault

Shannon Sharpe, a former pro footballer who is now the host of the popular “Club Shay Shay” podcast, has been sued for $50 million over the alleged sexual assault of a young woman.

According to a lawsuit filed by a Jane Doe on Sunday in Nevada state court, 56-year-old Sharpe met the plaintiff at the gym in 2023, when she was 19, and they began a “rocky consensual relationship that lasted nearly two years.” The civil complaint was filed by Tony Buzbee, who is currently representing over 150 alleged victims of Sean “Diddy” Combs.

By late 2024, the lawsuit claims that Sharpe would insist on recording their sexual activity and would allegedly share the videos with others without Doe’s consent or knowledge. This was around the time that Sharpe sparked controversy when he went on Instagram Live while having sexual intercourse with another woman, though only the audio could be heard. Sharpe initially said his account was hacked, but eventually took accountability for the video and apologized on his “Nightcap” podcast.

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In October, the lawsuit alleges that Sharpe “violently sexually assaulted and anally raped Plaintiff two

different times in Las Vegas, Nev., blatantly ignoring her requests for him to stop.” Doe also alleges that a similar event occurred in January, at which point she left Nevada. She is now seeking compensatory and punitive damages of $50 million.

Representatives for Sharpe did not immediately respond to Variety‘s request for comment.

Primarily playing for the Denver Broncos, Sharpe is regarded as one of the best tight ends in pro football and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2011. After retiring, Sharpe entered broadcasting and worked as an analyst for CBS Sports and Fox Sports before starting his podcast “Club Shay Shay” in 2020. In 2023, he launched the podcast “Nightcap,” which he hosts with fellow former NFL player Chad Ochocinco Johnson and former NBA player Gilbert Arenas. Just last week, it was reported that Sharpe was eyeing a new podcasting contract worth $100 million after his current deal ends.

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