Shannon Sharpe Charge Means 'Likely' End at ESPN, Predicts Dan LeBatard
Baltimore Ravens Hall of Fame tight end Shannon Sharpe was large and in charge, the former NFL superstar riding high on ESPN and and on his podcast, which was to be the centerpiece of a summer tour.
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But now he's on hiatus from the network and the tour for his popular Nightcap podcast. And along with that comes the rumor that the "hiatus'' might be permanent.
First up ...
'We've decided to postpone the Nightcap tour,' Sharpe said (h/t AwfulAnnouncing.com) in a recent episode of the podcast. 'We look forward to seeing you guys in the summer of 2026. It's going to be even bigger, even better. But Ocho (partner Chad Johnson) and I have come to the conclusion that this is the best thing as of right now, was to postpone the tour.
"We look forward to seeing each and every one of you in 2026.'
The logic is obvious, as this update is delivered at when Sharpe is occupied by a $50 million lawsuit alleging sexual assault and other claims.
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Notably, his lawyer has said in the wake of the accuser's filing of the civil complaint that Sharpe offered 'at least $10 million' to settle the case.
While Sharpe has stepped away from his star-turn work on ESPN's First Take. ... he has continued to appear on his series of podcasts on both Club Shay Shay and the Nightcap show.
The complaint, filed in a Nevada state court, alleges the legendary NFL star committed assault, sexual assault, battery and sexual battery, and engaged in the intentional infliction of emotions distress during a 'rocky consensual relationship' that lasted nearly two years with a woman more than 30 years younger than him."
In denying the allegations, Sharpe has said, 'My statement is found here and this is the truth. 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.
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'I plan to return to ESPN at the start of the NFL preseason. I sincerely appreciate the overwhelming and ongoing support I have received from my family, fans, friends and colleagues.'
That sounds like a plan ... but former ESPN big shot Dan LeBatard doesn't see it happening that way ... at all.
'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 on his Tuesday's episode of The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz. 'I don't know if you can be Disney and allow any of what happened there.'
What 'happened there' is a lawsuit, disturbing audio clips, a multimillion-dollar settlement offer and some all-around nastiness in terms of the behavior of the legendary Sharpe.
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ESPN has been sort of sitting back and watching this thing unfold ... but if LeBatard is to be believed, Bristol might be about to act - and fold the whole thing up.
Related: Shannon Sharpe Announces NSFW Response To $50 Million Sexual Assault Lawsuit
Related: Ravens' John Harbaugh Squat Goes Viral
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 24, 2025, where it first appeared.
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