LAS VEGAS, Nevada – Shannon Sharpe, the former NFL tight end and television personality, has yet to respond to a sexual assault lawsuit filed against him earlier this year, a matter that briefly captured national attention.
The lawsuit, initiated in April 2025, accuses Sharpe of numerous allegations, including sexual assault, battery, and intentional infliction of emotional distress. The plaintiff, a woman in her 20s, claims these incidents occurred throughout a nearly two-year relationship with Sharpe.
In the wake of the lawsuit, Sharpe, 57, has maintained his innocence, describing the allegations as a “shakedown.” His legal team has not publicly addressed the complaint since the barrage of media coverage following its filing.
Reports state that no official response has been made by Sharpe’s attorneys, despite deadlines for such submissions typically being within 30 days of service. A court hearing regarding three motions related to the lawsuit is set for 10 a.m. on July 9. This hearing was originally scheduled for June 30 but was delayed.
Legal experts note that extensions are common in such cases, typically granted as a courtesy among attorneys. Sharpe’s representatives did not provide comments when reached for inquiries regarding the lawsuit.
During an April press conference, Sharpe’s lawyer, Lanny Davis, indicated that they planned to file a counterclaim against the unnamed plaintiff. Davis also mentioned that Sharpe had previously offered the woman at least $10 million in a settlement, expressing surprise over the lawsuit’s filing.
The allegations include multiple incidents of assault purportedly occurring towards the end of 2024 and the beginning of 2025. Davis has suggested that the lawsuit could have been an attempt at blackmail, coinciding with Sharpe’s impending contract with a podcast network reportedly worth over $100 million.
Representing the plaintiff is attorney Tony Buzzbee, known for his work in high-profile cases, including representing numerous women in the sexual assault case against former NFL quarterback Deshaun Watson in 2021.
The legal battle continues to unfold, leaving Sharpe’s future and public image in a precarious position as the case progresses through the courts.
This article was automatically written by Open AI, and the people, facts, circumstances, and story may be inaccurate. Any article can be requested to be removed, retracted, or corrected by writing an email to contact@publiclawlibrary.org.