Shannon Sharpe brother Sterling Sharpe stood in the spotlight this week as his younger sibling, NFL Hall of Famer Shannon Sharpe, parted ways with ESPN following a sexual assault lawsuit settlement. Shannon, who was a regular face on ESPN’s First Take, quietly exited the network after resolving a high-profile civil case filed earlier this year.
The legal dispute involved allegations made by an ex-girlfriend who claimed she had been sexually assaulted by Sharpe during their relationship. The lawsuit demanded $50 million in damages. Shannon Sharpe denied the allegations from the start, calling them false and malicious. Despite his denial, the lawsuit was settled privately in July, resulting in the case being dismissed with prejudice—meaning it cannot be refiled.
Sharpe had taken a step back from his ESPN duties back in April, just days after the lawsuit became public. At the time, it was stated that his leave was temporary and that he intended to return ahead of the NFL preseason. However, as of late July, ESPN officially ended its relationship with Sharpe, reportedly due to the surrounding controversy.
Sharpe addressed the situation briefly through his podcast platform. He said he was “at peace” with his exit and took time to apologize to his brother, Sterling Sharpe. Shannon revealed that he asked for the announcement of his departure to be delayed so it wouldn’t distract from Sterling’s Hall of Fame moment—but the timeline didn’t work in his favor.
Sterling Sharpe, a former Green Bay Packers wide receiver, was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame this week. His induction marked a historic milestone, as he and Shannon became the first pair of brothers to both be honored in Canton. It was a moment of pride for their family, albeit slightly overshadowed by Shannon’s career turbulence.
Key Developments:
- April 20: Lawsuit filed against Shannon Sharpe, seeking $50 million.
- April 24: Sharpe temporarily steps away from First Take.
- July 18: Lawsuit is settled; case dismissed.
- Late July: ESPN and Sharpe part ways officially.
- July 31: Sterling Sharpe inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Despite the controversy, Shannon continues to host his two podcasts—Club Shay Shay and Nightcap with Ocho. Both shows remain popular, though there’s growing curiosity about where he’ll land next in sports media.
The saga has brought renewed attention to the bond between Shannon Sharpe brother Sterling. While Shannon’s career hit a pause, Sterling’s long-overdue recognition in football history gave fans a moment to celebrate. Shannon has long credited his older brother as his biggest influence, and it’s clear the support between the two remains strong even during difficult times.
It’s also worth noting that while the word “divorce” has floated around online in connection to Sharpe, he has never been married. The misunderstanding may stem from his on-air breakups—first with FS1’s Undisputed and now with ESPN—but there’s no record of a legal or personal divorce in his history.
As for what’s next for Shannon Sharpe, the former tight end remains a powerful voice in sports media. With his reputation among fans still largely intact and his shows pulling strong viewership, it’s unlikely this marks the end of his broadcasting career.
Shannon Sharpe brother Sterling might have been the one taking the Hall of Fame stage this week, but Shannon’s own journey—both triumphant and troubled—continues to unfold in the public eye.