Shannon Sharpe is officially parting ways with ESPN, just weeks after reaching a settlement in a $50 million civil lawsuit in which he was accused of rape.

The NFL Hall of Famer and Club Shay Shay podcaster had previously stepped away from his role on ESPN’s First Take after the lawsuit was filed earlier this year, with expectations he’d return ahead of the NFL season. That return will not happen.

A source confirmed to The Hollywood Reporter that Sharpe won’t be rejoining the network. The Athletic was first to report the news.

The exit comes just weeks after the NFL Hall of Famer settled a $50 million civil lawsuit alleging sexual assault and battery.

As previously reported, the lawsuit, filed in April 2025 by a woman identified as Jane Doe, accused Sharpe of violently assaulting her o

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