Hall of Fame tight end-turned-broadcaster Shannon Sharpe will not return to ESPN, a person with knowledge of the decision told The Associated Press on Wednesday.
The decision comes less than two weeks after Sharpe resolved a lawsuit that accused him of sexually assaulting a woman during their relationship. The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because the decision has not been announced.
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Sharpeâs last appearance on ESPN was in late April, when the lawsuit was filed in Nevada. No details of the settlement were released. The lawsuit had sought $50 million.
The 57-year-old Sharpe called the accusations âfalse and disruptive" at the time they were levied and hoped to return in time for the NFL season.
Instead, ESPN opted to move on from the brash four-time All-Pro tight end who won three Super Bowls during his 14-year career.
Sharpe joined ESPN in 2023 and signed a multiyear contract in 2024. He served as a panelist on the networkâs morning show âFirst Take.â
Sharpe has been a staple on TV and social media since retiring in 2003. He joined CBS in 2004 as an analyst on âThe NFL Todayâ studio show before leaving in 2013. Three years later, he joined forces with Skip Bayless on the FS1 sports debate show âUndisputed.â Sharpe left in 2023 after Bayless took a shot at Sharpe's NFL playing career during a debate a couple of months earlier.
Sharpe still has his âClub Shay Shayâ and âNightcapâ podcasts with former NFL wide receiver Chad Johnson.
Inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2011, Sharpe retired as the NFLâs all-time leader among tight ends in receptions (815), yards receiving (10,060) and touchdowns (62). Those records have been broken.
Sterling Sharpe, Shannon's older brother, will be inducted on Saturday.
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AP NFL: https://apnews.com/NFL