NFL Hall of Famer and media personality Shannon Sharpe is facing a $50 million lawsuit filed in Nevada by a woman identified only as “Jane Doe,” who alleges that Sharpe raped her on two separate occasions during what she described as an abusive and manipulative relationship.
The civil suit, filed on Easter Sunday, outlines claims of assault, sexual assault, battery, and emotional distress, allegations that could have significant personal and professional ramifications for the 56-year-old.
According to court filings obtained by TMZ, Jane Doe met Sharpe in 2023 when she was 20 years old. The relationship, while initially consensual, allegedly devolved into one marked by control and coercion.
She claims Sharpe dictated her time, demanded her presence at his Beverly Glen mansion on command, and even offered cosmetic surgery as an incentive in a weight-loss contest. The filing describes the relationship as “rocky,” with instances of verbal abuse and threats of physical violence.
The most serious claims stem from two alleged assaults. The first incident reportedly took place in October 2024 after Doe had tried to cut ties with Sharpe. She says he forced himself on her while she “was crying and sobbing.”
The second occurred in January 2025 when Sharpe allegedly came to her home under the guise of delivering Christmas and birthday gifts but again forced her into non-consensual sex, this time refusing to use protection despite her protests.
In the filing, Doe also accuses Sharpe of secretly recording their sexual encounters and sharing the content with others without her consent.
The complaint suggests these revelations, along with a widely publicized livestream in which Sharpe was caught mid-act with another woman, led Doe to begin distancing herself from the former NFL star.
One chilling moment in the complaint details an argument during which a gun was visible in the room. Doe says she attempted to share her location with friends as a safety precaution, but when Sharpe noticed, he allegedly grabbed her by the neck and threatened her.
Represented by high-profile attorney Tony Buzbee—who previously handled the lawsuits against NFL quarterback Deshaun Watson—Doe is seeking at least $50 million in damages.
Sharpe has not publicly commented on the matter. Despite the serious allegations, he appeared on ESPN the day after the lawsuit was filed, maintaining his usual on-screen presence.
He is currently rumored to be negotiating a media deal worth over $100 million, following the explosive popularity of his podcast Club Shay Shay, which boasts nearly 4 million subscribers and high-profile interviews garnering tens of millions of views.
While this is a civil case with no criminal charges at the moment, the accusations are grave. As proceedings unfold, the case will test both the strength of Doe’s claims and the resilience of Sharpe’s rapidly growing media empire.
