Shannon Sharpe allegedly choked a female production assistant at Fox Sports 1 years before he was accused of rape in a bombshell $50 million lawsuit.
The NFL legend was accused of physically assaulting the employee in the workplace during his time co-hosting the “Undisputed” talk show between 2016 and 2023, two insiders claimed to Front Office Sports Thursday.
According to one source, Sharpe and Fox allegedly settled with the accuser for several hundred thousand dollars. No lawsuit was filed regarding the alleged incident.
However, a representative for the ESPN personality, 56, denied the allegations in a statement to the outlet.
“There was no incident of choking involving Shannon on the FS1 set,” his spokesperson claimed.
“On one occasion, he and a few colleagues were involved in some light physical interaction in a playful context. Fox Sports later chose to resolve the matter privately.”
Reps for Sharpe and Fox Sports did not immediately respond to Page Six’s requests for comment.
The allegations came to light after Sharpe was accused of rape and battery in a lawsuit filed in Nevada on Sunday.
Per the documents obtained by Page Six, a woman, only identified as Jane Doe, accused the sports broadcaster of sexually assaulting her multiple times between late 2024 and early 2025.
Doe, who is allegedly in her early 20s, claimed she was involved in a “rocky” years-long relationship with Sharpe after they met at a Los Angeles gym in 2023.
“He demanded complete control over her time and body, expecting her to be at his house on his schedule, at his command, whenever he called,” Tony Buzbee, the plaintiff’s attorney, claimed in the lawsuit.
Doe claimed she attempted to break things off with Sharpe after he was allegedly heard having sex on Instagram Live in September 2024. At the time, he claimed that his account had been hacked.
She claimed the TV personality raped her in retaliation that October.
She claimed the second incident occurred in January when he allegedly came over to her house under the guise of giving her a Christmas gift.
A rep for Sharpe denied all the allegations in a statement to Page Six, saying he “will not submit to what he sees as an egregious attempt at blackmail.”
Sharpe also responded to the accusations in a video posted via Instagram Tuesday.
“[The woman] and Tony Buzbee want $50 million. What they’re getting is sued for defamation and trying to take me down,” the former NFL star said.
“My career is all about real talk and honesty. I know my family and fans know exactly what this is about, and I’m going to be out there telling you whatever I need to say, just like I always do. I love all you guys. Thanks.”
On Thursday, Sharpe announced he would be “temporarily” stepping away from ESPN to battle the lawsuit.
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