Shannon Sharpe Says He's 'Stepping Aside' From ESPN Duties Amid Sexual Assault Lawsuit

Shannon Sharpe announced on Thursday that he's made the decision "to step aside temporarily from my ESPN duties" following the bombshell news that he's being sued for sexual assault.

The First Take co-host said he plans to return to the network by the end of the summer. 

"My statement is found here and this is the truth," begins Sharpe's statement, which he posted to Instagram.

"The relationship in question was 100% consensual," he wrote. "At this juncture I am electing to step aside temporarily from my ESPN duties. I will be devoting this time to my family, and responding and dealing with these false and disruptive allegations set against me. I plan to return to ESPN at the start of the NFL preseason. I sincerely appreciate the overwhelming and ongoing support I have received from my family, fans, friends and colleagues."

The announcement comes just days after the Pro Football Hall of Famer was hit with a $50 million lawsuit alleging sexual assault and battery. The plaintiff, identified as Jane Doe, says she met Sharpe in 2023 at a Los Angeles-area gym, marking the start of their “rocky consensual relationship."

According to the 13-page civil suit, Sharpe became violent throughout his relationship with Jane Doe and even threatened to kill her for rejecting his advances.

"Sharpe flew into fits of anger when Plaintiff noted his infidelity to their relationship, or called him out about his extraneous activities," the lawsuit read. "What had once been manipulation, control, and intimidation now became something far more dangerous and sinister. Sharpe even figured out how to get into Doe’s apartment complex without her permission."

Sharpe has denied the allegations, referring to the case as a "blatant set-up" and an attempted "shakedown."

"I'm going to be open, transparent and defend myself because this isn't right. This is all being orchestrated by Tony Buzbee..." Sharpe said in a Tuesday Instagram video, referring to the plaintiff's famed attorney. "I believe he is going to release a 30-second clip of a sex tape that tries to make me look guilty and plays into every stereotype you can possibly imagine."

Shortly after the suit was filed, Sharpe's attorney Lanny Davis revealed his client had offered Doe "at least $10 million to settle the case." However, he emphasized that the proposal was not an admission of wrongdoing.

An ESPN insider told Deadline that the settlement details "raised concerns" at the network, which intends to “further investigate" the allegations.

“This is a serious situation," an ESPN spokesperson told the outlet, "and we agree with Shannon’s decision to step away.”