Shannon Sharpe, former NFL star and host of the popular podcast Club Shay Shay, is being sued for $50 million by a woman who says he sexually violated her during their relationship. The lawsuit was filed in Nevada on Sunday and is 13 pages long. It accuses Sharpe of sexual assault, assault, battery, and causing emotional harm.
The woman, who is not named in the lawsuit, claims she and Sharpe had a two-year relationship that began in 2023 after they met at a gym in Los Angeles. She says the relationship was rocky but started as consensual. The woman is reportedly 30 years younger than Sharpe.
According to the lawsuit, Sharpe was controlling and verbally abusive. Things got worse in October 2024 when the woman tried to end the relationship. She claims that Sharpe forced himself on her at that time and again in January 2025 when he allegedly came to her home and sexually assaulted her.
The lawsuit also says Sharpe recorded their sexual encounters and shared the videos with others.
Attorney Tony Buzbee is representing the woman. Sharpe’s legal team has denied the claims and released messages they say support his side of the story, calling the allegations false.