Civil Lawsuit Filed Against Shannon Sharpe Alleging Repeated Sexual Assault
Former NFL star and sports commentator Shannon Sharpe is facing a civil lawsuit filed late Thursday night in Clark County State Court, Nevada, alleging multiple instances of sexual assault and abuse.
The lawsuit, filed by attorney Tony Buzbee on behalf of a plaintiff identified only as “Jane Doe,” claims that Sharpe engaged in a pattern of intimidation, manipulation, and physical abuse, with the most recent alleged assault occurring in January 2025.
Buzbee, known for representing plaintiffs in several high-profile cases, announced the filing in a public statement on Friday morning:
“Late last night, The Buzbee Law Firm filed a civil lawsuit on behalf of a brave young woman who alleges she was brutally sexually assaulted by former NFL player Shannon Sharpe on multiple occasions,” Buzbee wrote. “The case seeks $50 million in damages.”
According to the lawsuit, Jane Doe alleges that Sharpe repeatedly threatened to choke and slap her, and that he used his status and influence to control and silence her. Buzbee stated that the full details of the case, which he described as “egregious and concerning,” are available in the public filing.
According to the suit, Doe met Sharpe in 2023 at a gym in Los Angeles — when she was 20 years old and he was in his mid-50s. She stated in the docs during their first encounter, Sharpe told her he would “buy her fake t**s” if she won a weight-loss competition with him.
“It takes a great deal of courage to stand up against those with power, fame, and money,” Buzbee added. “I look forward to pressing this case in court.”
“Plaintiff tried sharing her location with friends from her iPhone — just in case,” the docs state. “But Sharpe saw her doing this. The moment he realized what she was doing, he grabbed her by the neck and told her, ‘If you ever do that again, I will f***ing kill you.””
The two nevertheless continued the relationship — even following a move by both to Nevada during the summer of 2024. However, Doe states in her suit she attempted to break things off after his infamous Instagram Live streaming incident … which she said led to him raping her.
The civil suit was filed in Department 11 of Clark County, which includes Las Vegas and surrounding areas. Nevada law allows victims of sexual assault to pursue both criminal and civil remedies. As of now, there is no indication of a criminal investigation into the matter, and Sharpe has not responded publicly to the allegations.
About Shannon Sharpe
Sharpe, 55, is a three-time Super Bowl champion and Hall of Fame tight end, who played for both the Denver Broncos and Baltimore Ravens. In recent years, he gained renewed fame as a co-host of FS1’s Undisputed and more recently for his podcast, Club Shay Shay, which has drawn millions of viewers and high-profile guests.
He has long been viewed as a prominent figure in both sports media and pop culture, often praised for his outspoken commentary on social issues. These new allegations, however, mark a significant and serious turn in his public narrative.
What Happens Next?
No court date has yet been scheduled. It’s expected that Sharpe and his legal team will file a formal response in the coming weeks. Because this is a civil case and not a criminal trial, the burden of proof will rest on the preponderance of evidence, rather than beyond a reasonable doubt.
This is a developing story. More updates will be provided as details become available.
