Despite being hit with a bombshell $50 million lawsuit, Shannon Sharpe has kept up his usual media presence without missing a step. Just a day after the lawsuit went public, the former NFL star turned sports analyst made his regular appearance on ESPN’s First Take Tuesday morning, seemingly unbothered by the storm surrounding him.
The lawsuit, filed in Nevada by Gabriella Zuniga, accuses Sharpe of multiple incidents of sexual assault. Through his attorney, Sharpe has vigorously denied the allegations, stating that he never raped the accuser and that he is fully prepared to defend himself in court. In response to the claims, Sharpe’s legal team released several screenshots of text conversations between him and Zuniga, which they suggest paint a very different picture than what the lawsuit alleges.
Nevertheless, Sharpe stuck to his routine, joining Stephen A. Smith and the rest of the First Take panel for Tuesday’s show. His appearance raised some eyebrows among viewers, with one X (formerly Twitter) user commenting, “Shannon Sharpe just gone be on First Take like nothing is happening huh?”
According to The Athletic’s Andrew Marchand, Sharpe’s appearance was expected — and so was his silence on the lawsuit. Marchand reported Monday night that Sharpe would be on First Take for his usual Tuesday segment but would not address the lawsuit publicly. ESPN seems to be taking a cautious approach, choosing not to rush to judgment before more information comes to light.
Sharpe also continued hosting his Nightcap podcast alongside Chad Ochocinco on Monday evening. Much like his ESPN appearance, he made no mention of the allegations during the podcast episode.
The situation places ESPN in a delicate position. With memories of past controversies like Michael Irvin’s situation still fresh, the network appears willing to wait and see how this lawsuit unfolds before taking any further action. Removing Sharpe preemptively, without proof of guilt, would likely trigger public backlash and legal complications.
Sharpe’s handling of the situation — maintaining his normal work schedule and projecting calm — suggests he and his team are confident in their defense strategy. Still, the lawsuit casts a shadow over his otherwise resurgent media career, and fans and industry observers alike will be watching closely as events continue to develop.
