Just a few months ago, it was looking like Shannon Sharpe would never be seen on ESPN airwaves again.
The Hall of Fame tight end was enjoying a media renaissance. After his explosive breakup with Skip Bayless after years together at FS1, and before that being an NFL studio analyst, Sharpe built himself into a brand. He became one of the top podcast hosts in sports and entertainment. And he quickly linked up with Stephen A. Smith and First Take to continue their domination over the sports debate world.
But in an ugly turn of events, it all seemed to come crumbling down.
Sharpe was named in a $50 million sexual assault lawsuit. And instead of trying to deal with it quietly, he made the controversial decision to fight publicly, even naming his accuser. After more public back-and-forths, which included text messages and voicemails, Shannon Sharpe decided to step away from ESPN while continuing the legal battle.
Given the seriousness of the allegations and the ugliness that ensued, it appeared Sharpe’s days at ESPN were numbered, and his burgeoning media empire might be teetering. Just last month, former ESPN personality Dan Le Batard went on record to say that Sharpe would likely never return to the Worldwide Leader in Sports.
“We probably all know at this point that Shannon Sharpe is not likely to ever work at ESPN again, right? I think we can reasonably assume Shannon Sharpe would like it to look like he has a chance to return,” said Le Batard. “I don’t know if you can be Disney and allow any of what happened there.”
But now the equation has changed as Tony Buzbee, the lawyer for Sharpe’s accuser, announced that there was a settlement in the suit and the lawsuit would be dismissed.
“On April 20, 2025, The Buzbee Law Firm filed a complaint in Nevada making several allegations against Shannon Sharpe on behalf of our client,” Buzbee shared on social media. “Both sides acknowledge a long-term consensual and tumultuous relationship. After protracted and respectful negotiations, I’m pleased to announce that we have reached a mutually agreed-upon resolution. All matters have now been addressed satisfactorily, and the matter is closed. The lawsuit will thus be dismissed with prejudice.”
The language in Buzbee’s statement seems to fare well for Sharpe with the acknowledgement of a “consensual” yet “tumultuous” relationship. And the dismissal of the lawsuit brings Sharpe’s legal troubles to a close.
So what’s next? Does ESPN bring him back, or has the damage been done?
Given ESPN is still owned by Disney, the company could very well still come to an understanding that it is better to have Sharpe quietly stay away. He hasn’t been seen on ESPN airwaves since April, and with a new football season around the corner, the network has a deep bench to call upon for First Take, where Sharpe only appeared a couple of days a week. The memories of the accusations (and how Sharpe chose to handle them) won’t just disappear.
But there’s more evidence to suggest that ESPN would welcome back Sharpe in the weeks and months to come. Stephen A. Smith has previously voiced his support for Sharpe, hoping that his co-star would return in time for football season. If Smith wants Sharpe back on First Take, it would be very difficult for ESPN to tell their $100 million man that he can’t. And with Sharpe not found liable in any way and the lawsuit dismissed with prejudice, there would appear to be no legal roadblocks to his return.
And then there is the new ESPN philosophy. ESPN is invested in star power. And Shannon Sharpe is a star. And odds are, when it comes to football season this fall, they will want that star back on First Take once again.