ESPN
Update: Shannon Sharpe has released a video statement in which he says this is a “shakedown” being orchestrated by attorney Tony Buzbee, saying Buzbee “targets” Black men.
Sharpe says Buzbee is going to release a 30-second clip of a sex tape that will “try to make him look guilty.”
Watch Sharpe’s full statement below.
— shannon sharpe (@ShannonSharpe) April 22, 2025
Current First Take co-host and popular podcast host Shannon Sharpe has been accused of sexual misconduct by a woman identified as Gabriella Zuniga. Zuniga is being represented by Tony Buzbee, known for representing numerous women in the Deshaun Watson case and handling several high-profile sexual assault lawsuits in recent years.
According to reports, the 56-year-old Hall of Fame tight end — best known for his time in the NFL with the Denver Broncos and Baltimore Ravens — is being sued for allegedly r—– Zuniga on multiple occasions. TMZ reports she is seeking over $50 million in damages.
The complaint claims Zuniga first met Sharpe at a gym in 2023, when she was 20 years old. It states that Sharpe aggressively pursued her, and the two eventually entered a consensual relationship. In their initial interaction, he allegedly offered to pay for breast augmentation surgery if she beat him in a “weight loss competition.” Eventually, Zuniga claims that Sharpe r—- her in October 2024 and January 2025.
In response to Zuniga’s claims, Sharpe’s legal team released a public statement that included alleged messages from Zuniga.
A day later, TMZ has now published an alleged audio conversation between Zuniga and Sharpe, which they received from Buzbee, in which he threatens to choke her.
“‘Oh, Lord have mercy. If you say that word [maniuplate] one more time, I’m going to f—— choke the s— out of you when I see you.”
A long pause ensues … and the woman then tells Sharpe ‘I don’t want to be choked,’ but Sharpe can be heard replying, ‘Yes, you do. I don’t think you have a choice in the matter.'” [via TMZ]
Listen to the alleged recording of Sharpe below:
The woman accusing #ShannonSharpe of r*pe has now released audio of a conversation she says she had with him … and in it, Sharpe can be heard telling her he’s “going to f***ing choke the s*** out” of her. Read the full #exclusive story: https://t.co/SFHeYGx3rF pic.twitter.com/Hj9lh3Xe8R
— TMZ Sports (@TMZ_Sports) April 22, 2025
Despite the allegations against Sharpe and subsequent release of alleged evidence by each party, he was on First Take for his usual hosting duties on Tuesday, April 22 alongside Stephen A. Smith (Sharpe is on the show on Mondays and Tuesdays).