Shannon Sharpe was absent from ESPN’s First Take for the second day in a row after the NFL Hall of Famer was sued for sexual assault.
Sharpe, 56, is a part-time contributor on the sports morning show and it’s not clear if he was scheduled to appear on either the Wednesday, April 23, or Thursday, April 24 episodes. However, given the fact that the NFL Draft begins on Thursday night, some fans were quick to connect the dots.
“Welp…no Shannon Sharpe on First Take,” one viewer wrote via X. “On the day of the NFL Draft coverage. Not good.”
Another wrote, “Slowly but surely ESPN pushing Shannon Sharpe away.”
What to Know About Shannon Sharpe Rape and Sexual Battery Accusations
The former NFL tight end appeared on the Monday, April 21, and Tuesday, April 22, episodes of First Take after the lawsuit had been filed, but he did not address the allegations on air.
Sharpe was accused of rape and sexual battery in a $50 million lawsuit filed by a “Jane Doe” in Nevada on Sunday, April 20. In the 13-page complaint, obtained by NBC News, the woman — who says she and Sharpe had a “rocky consensual relationship” for two years — also reportedly claims Sharpe engaged in the intentional infliction of emotional distress.
Lanny J. Davis, Sharpe’s attorney, claimed to Us Weekly on Monday, April 21, that the lawsuit is “filled with lies, distortions and misrepresentations — and it will not succeed.” He accused the woman of attempting “a blatant and cynical attempt to shake down Mr. Sharpe for millions of dollars.”
Paras Griffin/Getty ImagesSharpe joined First Take as a recurring panelist in August 2023. In June 2024, Sharpe signed a multiyear deal to expand his role on the show.
Us Weekly has reached out to ESPN for comment about Sharpe’s future on the network.
Shannon Sharpe Called a ‘Weirdo’ by Jalen Rose’s Daughter Amid Lawsuit
Stephen A. Smith, one of Sharpe’s First Take cohosts, addressed the allegations against Sharpe on the Tuesday episode of his podcast.
While Smith, 57, said he was “sincerely hopeful and prayerful that he’s innocent,” Smith acknowledged that he had discussed the lawsuit with ESPN chairman, James Pitaro.
“[Pitaro] made it very, very clear that we are taking this matter very seriously,” Smith said. “And we are looking into this very, very closely. Once we gather as many facts as we possibly can, we will go from there. That is all he said. I can mention his name because I received his permission to say that.”
Smith continued, “I don’t know what that means. In my perfect world, this equates to Jay-Z, where the case is ultimately dropped and Shannon is allowed to continue on First Take and continue to thrive and shine.”
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