ESPN star Shannon Sharpe was recently celebrating the news that his podcast business was so booming that he was in receipt of a $100 million business deal.
But the celebration was short-lived as he in the next breath announced that he is stepping away from television as he defends himself against a sexual assault accusation.
The $50 million lawsuit stems from a relationship Sharpe, 56, had with a 19-year-old woman; a tryst Sharpe claims was entirely consensual.
“My statement is found here and this is the truth,” his post began. “The relationship in question was 100% consensual.
“At this juncture I am electing to step aside temporarily from my ESPN duties.
“I will be devoting this time to my family, and responding and dealing with these false and disruptive allegations set against me. I plan to return to ESPN at the start of the NFL preseason.”
ESPN, which aired Sharpe on “First Take” Monday and Tuesday, quickly confirmed his decision.
ESPN responded to the former Baltimore Ravens tight end’s circumstance.
“This is a serious situation, and we agree with Shannon’s decision to step away,” they said, via Front Office Sports.
This isn’t Sharpe’s first time facing troubling allegations. According to FOS, Sharpe was accused of sexual assault in 2010 while with CBS.
During his time with Fox Sports, he eventually settled an accusation of choking a woman who was a production assistant on “Undisputed” for six figures, although a lawsuit was not filed and the official number was not released.
Sharpe spent two seasons with the Ravens, winning a Super Bowl in 2000 and making the Pro Bowl in 2001. He totaled 140 catches for 1,621 yards and seven touchdowns in that span.
The ordeal comes just months removed from Ravens kicker Justin Tucker being accused by several Baltimore-area massage therapists of sexual misconduct.
Sharpe maintains that his case is a matter of blackmail. At least for now, he won’t be addressing this or any other topics on ESPN’s airwaves.
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