Shannon Sharpe (seen here in 2023) was accused of rape and battery in a lawsuit filed in Nevada on Sunday. Getty Images for SiriusXM
Shannon Sharpe has been accused of rape and battery in a new $50 million lawsuit.
The NFL player-turned-broadcaster was sued in Nevada on Sunday for allegedly raping a woman referred to as Jane Doe on numerous occasions.
The alleged victim claimed in court documents obtained by Page Six that Sharpe, 56, sexually assaulted her multiple times at the end of 2024 and the beginning of 2025.
Sharpe (seen here in February) was accused of raping a woman, who used the pseudonym Jane Doe. Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP
The sports commentator (seen here in February) allegedly sexually assaulted the woman after a years-long abusive relationship. Getty Images
The plaintiff alleged that the assaults took place after a “rocky,” years-long abusive relationship with the sports commentator.
Sharpe and Doe met at a gym in Los Angeles in 2023 when she was 20 years old and he was in his mid-50s, according to the filing.
Doe claimed the “Club Shay Shay” host told her during the encounter that he would “buy her fake t-ts” if she won a weight-loss competition with him.
He then allegedly went on to aggressively pursue her by calling, texting and “demanding she come to his Beverly Glen mansion.”
The former football player (seen here in February) allegedly met Doe at the gym in 2023. Getty Images for BET
The ex-athlete and the woman entered into a consensual relationship after he allegedly relentlessly pursued her. Getty Images
The duo eventually began a consensual relationship, though Doe claimed Sharpe was controlling and verbally abusive.
“He demanded complete control over her time and body, expecting her to be at his house on his schedule, at his command, whenever he called,” attorney Tony Buzbee wrote in the documents.
Doe became frightened when they allegedly got into an explosive argument while the former football player visibly had a firearm in the room.
The plaintiff claimed she tried to break up with Sharpe (seen here in February) after he livestreamed himself having sex. Getty Images for Fanatics
He allegedly raped her in October 2024. Getty Images
“Plaintiff tried sharing her location with friends from her iPhone — just in case,” the filing stated. “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–king kill you.’”
Doe said she “began to pull away from Sharpe” after he was heard having sex on Instagram Live last September, but she claimed her attempt to break up with him led to him raping her.
She alleged that the first time he raped her was in October when he forced himself on her as she was “crying and sobbing.”
Sharpe (seen here in February) also allegedly sexually assaulted her in January. WireImage
Doe is suing the podcast host (seen here in 2023) for at least $50 million. Getty Images
The second sexual assault allegedly happened in January when he came over to her house under the guise that he was giving her a Christmas gift, only to rape her again.
Sharpe’s rep did not immediately respond to Page Six’s request for comment.
Doe is seeking $50 million in damages from the Hall of Fame tight end, who recently made headlines for eyeing a $100 million-plus podcast contract.
“I’m extremely proud to represent Jane Doe,” Buzbee said in a statement to Page Six. “It takes a great deal of courage to stand up against those with power, fame and money. I look forward to pressing this case in court.”
If you or someone you know is affected by any of the issues in this story, call the Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-330-0226.
